Forevermore - Integral (2016)

After listening to a podcast dissect a psychological theory called Spiral Dynamics, Forevermore’s Jared Storm was transfixed. “Spiral Dynamics says that, as we look back into human history, we see a progression of thought and conceptual complexity that can be broken down into a series of distinct phases,” he explains. “These phases represent fundamentally different ways of seeing the world, which have profound implications for how one interacts with it. Interestingly, the same progression through stages of consciousness, which occurred slowly throughout human history, can also be seen within individual persons.” The stages are umbrellaed under two tiers. Each stage of the first tier sees all other stages as incorrect, viewing itself as the sole bearer of truth. The second tier represents a monumental shift in human thought; it begins to recognize that not only do all stages of human consciousness have some partial truth to offer, but that these offerings are an essential part of human development. Under the first tier are six colors, each representing a specific worldview and its motives. Each color corresponds to a period in human development as well as a general pattern of progression seen in individual people. Within colors and tiers, Spiral Dynamics maps out an integrated vision for identifying our evolutionary history, and ourselves. So, naturally, Forevermore decided to write a record about it.

Integral is a sophisticated, esoteric unfolding of human development and its search to understand itself. Listening to the album means equipping yourself with a broader awareness of being a human, and being part of humanity. That is, unless you stop seeking.