Review: The Human Abstract - Midheaven

Artist: The Human Abstract
Album: Midheaven
Label: Hopeless
Released: 8/19/2008

BSTscore: 99

When I first heard Midheaven I was left scratching my head with a bit of a dumbfounded look. For anyone that was familiar with The Human Abstract’s first full length, Nocturne, you would have expected something vastly different. At the time, I was a little disappointed, but that would fade with each listen. Gone was the prog-metal and screaming (for the most part). I really had to cleanse my head of all of that before I could truly appreciate this album.

Some might say the band went soft. Others might say they sold out. After realizing the band lost one of their primary songwriters during the recording of the album, it’s a little easier to grasp the change, whatever the cause of it. For anyone who did hear the first album, you’ll know the amazing musical ability of this band. Midheaven is no different. The collective ability of this band is only rivaled by the likes of Protest the Hero. There is another level and this band has it. The most obvious change is that instead of breakdowns, there are more melodies. Not stripped-down, boring melodies, but off-timed, progressive, elaborate melodies. Mix in the intricate guitar work and thundering rhythm and you have some of the most complete songs I’ve ever heard.

Nathan Ells did little to display the true depth of his voice on Nocturne. After listening to Midheaven, it’s easy to understand the departure from the screaming. His vocal range and overall melody is terrific. And while there are occasional screams from song to song, I feel the band made an excellent decision when they chose the new direction. Lyrically, you won’t find any verse, chorus, verse on this album. The “concept” approach is certainly not my favorite, but the strength of each song by itself is enough to erase my skepticism.

Every time I have listened to this album, I have been more impressed. There is a depth to each song that you have to hear to truly appreciate or understand. Midheaven is remarkable in so many ways. There are “catchy” parts that I have found myself singing when I’m not even listening to the album (“A Dead World at Sunrise”, “Calm in the Chaos”) and there are absolute technical masterpieces (“Metanoia”, “Breathing Life into Devices”). I can’t even think of another album I own that can claim both of these. That is saying a lot. I’m not ready to anoint The Human Abstract as the greatest band on earth, but Midheaven is one hell of an album.

Musicianship: 100
Vocals: 95
Creativity: 100
Impact: 100

Favorite Song: “Counting Down the Days”

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Review: Rise Against - Appeal to Reason

Artist: Rise Against
Album: Appeal to Reason
Label: Geffen
Released: 10/7/2008

BSTscore: 88

It’s still a bit strange for me to think of Rise Against as mainstream, but with their 5^th studio album, the band is bigger than ever. I never thought I’d be listening to the same music as my 12 year old niece, but I guess that’s testament to the band’s ability to reach a wide array of listeners. As someone who has followed the band from the beginning, I can’t say that Appeal to Reason is the band’s best release, but it certainly does not disappoint.

Rise Against’s strength has always been driving melodies with a little dash of pop hook here and there. Their song structures won’t overwhelm you, but that’s what makes it so catchy. I definitely think the band has stuck with what works for them, without dumbing things down to sell records. While I do think there is definitely a radio appeal to their sound, they didn’t change anything to get there. It may not be revolutionary, but it’s effective. I’m being nitpicky, but while the acoustic “Hero of War” is a tremendously honest (if not ironic) song, I’m not sure if the band needs this style of “token” song on every album. As long as it is effective, I guess it’s hard to argue.

Vocalist Tim McIlrath still has one of my favorite voices in the punk genre. His unique harmony blends flawlessly with the band’s sound. His lyrics, while at times politically charged, are not as edgy on this release (except “Hero of War”). You certainly won’t be confusing this for Strike Anywhere or Boy Sets Fire. Just don’t take his ability to deliver passionate messages for granted.

Overall, Appeal to Reason played out much differently for me personally. Typically, I can listen to a Rise Against album as a whole and enjoy it from start to finish. With this release, I found myself breaking it down into 2 parts; the poppy, radio-friendly first half, and the melodic, passionate second half. Of course my preference is for the later half. Songs such as “Audience of One”, “Savior”, and “Whereabouts Unknown” highlight this half of the album.

Musicianship: 85
Vocals: 90
Creativity: 85
Impact: 90

Favorite Song: “Hairline Fracture”

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