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Archived Reviews
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Opening song "Concealing Our Cards" isn't, to its credit, as bad as I thought it was going to be after I'd read that this band play 'atmospheric, experimental post-hardcore' (in other words, they think they're groundbreaking but actually play directionless songs without any structure but with shouting over the top). It sounds more like emo to me, which although not really my 'thing' (a few choice bands aside) is certainly preferable. The guitar work and even the singing remind me a little of Further Seems Forever - angular, disjointed riffs, chord structures you don't expect, and a surprising amount of melody in places... but in a way that at least seems to mean something.
Second song "Unplug Your Wires..." offers more of the same. Yes folks, this is emo all right. The band may disagree, but there isn't anything particularly hardcore or 'post'-hardcore about them (aside from a bit of shouting here and there)- lucky for them in my view as their singer can actually sing passably well, and the band have ability. "Lights Across the Water" is a tad more atmospheric, and the fourth, "What's All the Commotion?" is a surprise - an acoustic ballad. The vocals probably don't work quite as well on this track but their deviation from a well-trodden path is welcome. They revert to type for the last two tracks, but the guitar work is good and melodic. The music isn't everyone's cup of tea, particularly on the first listen, but there is some potential there. Unfortunately for them there's a lot of music like this around, and has been for a fair number of years. Whether or not they can stand out of the crowd remains to be seen. For its kind, however, not a bad effort at all. |
