Review: Funeral for a Friend - Seven Ways to Scream Your Name

artist: funeral for a friend album: seven ways to scream your name label: ferret records released: 10/21/03 by: eduardo moutinho One of the most effective means of conducting any kind of business is to go by the motto “the ‘flavor of the month’ sells.” The Welsh band Funeral for a Friend seems to have caught onto this slogan in their recent Ferret release, Seven Ways to Scream Your Name. Honestly, if I would have listened to this record about six months ago, I would have given up on it immediately. Thankfully, I’ve gotten to a state that has allowed me to come back to this kind of straightforward emocore derivation. Those who are craving new and original music are in for a disappointment, and those who want to listen to challenging music should stop reading this review right now. Funeral for a Friend knows how to manipulate what is currently popular into something that slides nicely into the “semi-mainstream” musical segment of our scene. But wait just a second, this isn’t entirely bad. Sometimes it’s good to listen to something that fits a successful formula; that is, if it’s done correctly. Honestly, these guys are good at what they do. The music exhibited on Seven Ways to Scream Your Name is a mixture of aggressive emocore mixed with some pop rock and punk. The singer is energetic, and he uses his vocals to scream and sing effectively. In addition, the musicality is quite solid with the guitars leading the way. There are a variety of catchy mini-solos thrown throughout the songs along with a series of rhythmic verses. It’s easy to get into the music on frequent occasions. Percussion is average but also solid, and the drummer adds in some rather mediocre background screaming vocals throughout the tracks. I was reminded of Atreyu’s singer and his awful screaming, so in this regard, the music was affected negatively. When closely listening to this record, I realized that its simplicity is one of the strong points. I can get into the music without having to think, and sometimes, that is all I really need and want. The production value is crisp, leading to a tightly fabricated and polished product. I can stick this in my car stereo and just go. Interestingly enough, I was tempted to listen to this record after downloading a promotional mp3 of the song “This Year’s Most Open Heartbreak” off the Ferret website. The song is one of the most extremely catchy pieces that I have recently encountered. In the end, it turns out to be the best song on the record. Songs like “Kiss and Make Up (All Bets Are Off)” and “Escape Artists Will Never Die” are also worth listening to. The rest of the album is decent, but the tracks all too frequently become victims of musical clichés seen in the genre, as stated above. Nevertheless, Seven Ways to Scream Your Name is still a nice compilation, and it’s refreshing to see something new coming from Wales. I’ve only been recently privy to Princess Diana and Ryan Giggs. favorite song: “this year's most open heartbreak" rating: 80%/100% listen to funeral for a friend

Review: Down to Nothing - Save it for the Birds

artist: down to nothing album: save it for the birds label: thorp records released: 2003 by: rob tatum Maybe it’s just me, but I really cannot grasp how a band can be pleased with songs that are better measured in seconds than minutes. It really irritates me. Anyway, Richmond’s Down to Nothing is a fast-paced, East Coast straight edge band. Easily compared to the likes of Champion, In My Eyes, or numerous East Coast bands, the band struggles to establish a sound of their own on this album. Perhaps the band set out to sound like the aforementioned bands, and if not, they accomplished it. I give the band credit for creating energetic hardcore and standing up for the things they believe in. That’s the best part about music in general, but unfortunately that’s how I feel about Save it for the Birds, generic. The musicianship is very basic, as blast beats and power-chords reign supreme. This isn’t my genre, it never has been, it never will be. The band does nothing for me. If you like this style, Down to Nothing pulls it off pretty well, but there’s nothing special here. favorite song: "who are you to say" rating: 66%/100% listen to down to nothing

Review: Radio Berlin - Glass

artist: radio berlin album: glass label: action driver released: 2003 by: rob tatum I can honestly say the Glass is a nice change of pace. Radio Berlin implements some interesting elements into a blend of spacey, dancy rock. The four piece uses many electronic instruments to develop a very unique sound. Glass could easily be compared to a release from the Cure, Radiohead, Q and Not U, and a handful of others. There is such a vast range of sounds incorporated in the eight songs, that is nearly impossible to pinpoint the sound. The vocals are slow tempoed and remind me of Pink Floyd at times. Then again, they also remind me of Robert Smith from the Cure at other times. The diversity of the album takes the listener on a very interesting journey. Slow, dark songs are followed by upbeat, dancy songs. Ordinarily this roller coaster method doesn’t appeal to me, but Glass managed to keep this critic entertained throughout. Fans of a diverse, yet uncompromising sound will thoroughly enjoy this release. Radio Berlin touches on such a wide range of sounds, that it is easy to get into the songs. If I had to categorize Glass as anything, it’s flat out rock, and I think it’s quite good. favorite song: "aftermath" rating: 85%/100% listen to radio berlin

Review: Emmanuel 7 - Machines in Routine

artist: emmanuel 7 album: machines in routine label: thorp records released: 2003 by: rob tatum Connecticut’s Emmanuel 7 is one of those bands that leave the listener perplexed at first listen. Mixing hardcore with strong doses of metal and grind along with a little bit of melody, the band generates a heavy barrage on the senses. Once the band’s sound starts to sink in, it is a little easier to analyze the various components of the music. One of the first things that I picked up on was the single guitar. At times the band’s music reminds me of Coalesce (i.e. the single guitar), and yet there are instances when Emmanuel 7 struggles with extremely muddy distortion and bland beats. The vocal range of singer Darrell Tauro is exhibited on tracks such as “Chamomile” but he struggles to really make an impact with his singing. The deep, overpowering vocals that appear on the majority of the tracks begin to be a little monotone as it coincides with the music. I was generally impressed by the musicianship; however, the grind parts don’t fit certain songs and really take away from the overall flow the album. Machines in Routine exhibits a wide range of musical styles and abilities, but I really think that Emmanuel 7 is trying to do too much with too little. This might appeal to fans of older Cave In and Coalesce, but Machines in Routine is a too diverse to make any direct comparisons. favorite song: "chamomile" rating: 83%/100% listen to emmanuel 7

Review: Dead Water Drowning - Self-Titled EP

artist:dead water drowning album: self-titled EP label: black market activities released: 2003 by: rob tatum Falling somewhere between Meshuggah and Between the Buried and Me, New Hampshire’s Dead Water Drowning assaults listeners with a barrage of metal and grind paralleled by few. Blistering break downs are accompanied by technical riffs and are followed by thundering grind attacks. The most impressive part of Dead Water Drowning is the use of a single guitar player. While the musicianship may not be the most technical, it is rare to see a metalcore or grindcore band using only one guitarist. That may explain why the band is searching for a second guitarist, but on this recording, the band only uses one guitar The vocals are very similar to Between the Buried and Me or At the Gates. Very powerful growls pound from vocalist Nate Johnson. I really enjoyed his lyrics on this release. Here’s an excerpt from the song “Bliss from a Dead Embrace,” ‘Took everything I had to give and then you gave up. It’s probably not as bad as it seems. I am just stuck in my own worst dreams. The ones where you rip my heart from my chest.’ This EP exhibits a very solid sound. The five songs are filled with a ton of power and energy. If this band adds a second guitarist, things can only go up for them. Look for this band to cement themselves as a force in the metal/grind core community. favorite song: "bliss from a dead embrace" rating: 84%/100% listen to dead water drowning

Review: Narcissus - Crave and Collapse

artist: narcissus album: save it for the birds label: abacus recordings released: 2003 by: rob tatum Narcissus’s third full length, Crave and Collapse, is a compelling release that may elevate the band to the forefront of the post hardcore genre. While the concept of combining hardcore and emo is nothing new, the combination must be perfect to give a band any chance of making themselves known. Narcissus appears to have tackled the task with ease. Crave and Collapse demonstrates a well developed sense of creativity and melody that the majority of post hardcore bands lack. The Ohio four piece uses solid musicianship as the backbone of this release. All aspects of the release are well arranged. The songs on Crave and Collapse possess an energy that is usually missing from post hardcore releases. The vocals, both singing and screaming, are very in tune with the music. My favorite part of this album is that nothing is overdone. There’s just the right amount of hardcore to appease hardcore fans and just enough emo to appease emo fans. It’s almost a symbiotic relationship. Fans of Under the Radar era Grade, Thursday, and A Static Lullaby will instantly love this album. I know I did. favorite song: "rush" rating: 89%/100% listen to narcissus

Review: Calico System - The Duplicated Memory

artist: calico system album: the duplicated memory label: eulogy recordings released: 2003 by: rob tatum The whole concept of throwing genres into a blender can definitely produce some interesting sounding bands. Calico System certainly fits that scenario. At times the band sounds like a poppy, radio-friendly monster and then tears into a heavy, melodic assault. The band exhibits some similarities to a heavier Boys Night Out, or older Keepsake, but Calico System is a much better listen then both of those. The first time I listened to The Duplicated Memory, I wasn’t sure what to think. Vocalist Mark Owens exhibits a vast range of both singing and screaming. I initially thought that the band must have two singers, but that is not the case. Musically the band creates power and melody, but doesn’t over emphasize anything. The musicianship is amazing. The drumming and bass-playing, which at times are overlooked, make a huge impact on this album. The guitar work is very solid, especially changing from the poppy parts to the heavy ones. Mark’s lyrics are very heartfelt and focus primarily on love gone wrong. At first, I would have called The Duplicated Memory just average, but with each listen I have realized how amazing this album really is. Calico System has created a very enjoyable release and I encourage anyone who is a fan of melodic hardcore to give this a listen (at least a couple of times). It may not be genre defining, but it shows that a band can successfully interweave genres without sounding manufactured or overproduced. favorite song: "girl named vegas" rating: 89%/100% listen to calico system

Review: Thursday - War All The Time

artist: thursday album: war all the time label: island records released: 9/16/03 by: eduardo moutinho To say that I eagerly anticipated Thursday’s new album, War All the Time, would be a gross understatement. I’ve been salivating over this release like a famished coyote needing to eat to survive. The two teaser tracks, along with a live track I heard Thursday play at their last show in Boulder, fueled my hunger even more. So when the stores opened on Tuesday, September 16th, 2003, I ran and snatched a copy of the record for myself. My coyote spirit found a carcass to indulge upon. I don’t mean to go out on a limb here, but let me just say, this may be the best album I have ever heard. Period. Yes, I speak blasphemous words against hopesfall and the lot, but I stand by the words firmly. This album is fucking wicked. And yes, I also realize that I just compromised my journalistic integrity by (gasp) writing out an expletive in a piece of writing. Eh, Rolling Stone editors aren’t the only ones allowed to do it. Why is this album so good you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. Firstly, this is one of those albums I have talked about earlier, where every single track is spectacular. You can play this record from start to finish without ever having to skip around. Each track tells its own story, with exceptional lyrics and equally fantastic musicality. You will come away with at least eight or nine “favorite songs” having trouble picking out what is truly best. In the end, it hits you like a bag of lead: the whole damn thing is incredible. Like Poison the Well, Glassjaw, and Thrice, this is Thursday’s debut release on a major record label. While this may not sit well with many folks, there is absolutely no reason to fret. The sound that Thursday shaped into one of the most emulated new forms of rock is present and elevated to infinitely new levels of sonic mastery and majesty in War All the Time. The charmingly raw sound is still the foundation, and the band builds upon their layered melodies and vocal structures throughout the record. Some tracks are complex and engaging, while others stripped-down and simple. In the end, everything comes together into a beautiful compilation. The instrumentation on this record is amazing. The guitars, bass, and drums are simply sensational. Songs like “Asleep in the Chapel,” “Marches and Maneuvers,” “Signals over the Air,” “Between Rupture and Rapture,” and “Steps Ascending” have wondrous melodies, one layered on top of the other, forming organized chaos. I found myself listening to these tracks repeatedly, sometimes listening to the same track many times over. They’re so impressive. The guitarists are making a statement, with their constant breaks, changes, and use of different sounds and techniques. I’ve never heard such effective, albeit subtle, usage of harmonics. The bass is integral in the transitions, which really shows how tight these guys are. Drums are exceptional, as they have always been. I’m amazed, just plain amazed. Vocals are really well done, and extremely emotional, which is expected from Thursday. As I said before, the lyrics are wonderful. The writing is so clever and profound. Just listening to “For the Workforce Drowning” is enough proof of how clever Geoff Rickly really is. I think his vocals round out the rawness of the music perfectly. He sings as if he’s pouring his soul out to the listener. And if you’ve seen him live, you know that is exactly what he is doing. The backup vocals done by the members are even more evident than they were in Full Collapse. Each individual scream is distinctive and gives even more character to the music. There really is no need to further elaborate on the vocals here, as their proficiency is a given. I’ve mentioned some tracks already, yet I’ve left a few out. This album is indeed a complete work. Thursday tried to make this release more intimate, and it shows with tracks like “This Song Brought to You by a Falling Bomb,” which is a somber piano and voice number. The title track, “War All the Time” is pure emotion. There are slower, more vulnerable-sounding, tracks here, and it’s a welcomed addition as it adds balance and variety to the songs altogether. I guess you can say that this is a sign of maturity on the part of Thursday. I’m not going to end this review by writing a huge conclusion commanding you to buy this release and to devote the next few months of your life to it. I think what I have written so far speaks for itself. What I will say though, is that this release is special. I was hoping for something comparable to Full Collapse, and what I got completely surpassed it. This band is untouchable. favorite song: "steps ascending" and "between rupture and rapture" (tie) rating: 100%/100% listen to thursday

Review: The Kinison - Self-Titled EP

artist: the kinison album: self-titled EP label: fearless records released: 2003 by: rob tatum Up and coming bands are always a fun listen for someone that gets tired of listening to the same music over and over. Combining elements of post hardcore, screamo, and even pop, The Kinison dabs a little from a variety of genres. Certain aspects of the music remind me a lot of another Fearless band, At the Drive-In, but unfortunately for The Kinison, there’s only one At the Drive-In. As I mentioned above, there are aspects of the music that are striking similar to other bands, but at the same time, the band does manage to establish a solid sound. Each of the five songs has its own feel which keeps the EP from running together. A number of the songs are quite poppy and the screaming seems a little out of place, but at other times, it fits perfectly. I can tell from this EP that once this band can find itself a niche, they should be something to reckon with. The vocals are at times eerily reminiscent of Cedric (ATDI), but the screams do enough to offset it. My only complaint is that the singing/screaming combo is starting to become overdone, and it seems like every day that there is a new post hardcore band attempting the same thing. That of course is no fault of The Kinison, but by the time the band really begins to establish themselves, their sound may have been overplayed. However, for the time being, this EP is a good start for the band. favorite song: "the way i used to be" rating: 78%/100% listen to the kinison

Review: Crestfallen - Self-Titled EP

artist: crestfallen album: self-titled EP label: robotic empire released: 2003 by: rob tatum I can honestly say that there are better ways to cram eight songs into under fifteen minutes, but never the less, Crestfallen’s new EP can help redefine fast-paced hardcore. Taking heavy influences from grind and punk, this new EP is far less melodic than their prior material. They haven’t strayed entirely away from melody, but there is much less emphasis on it. Crestfallen is known for fast hardcore with some melody, but with this new release, they have begun to break down any labels. There are a ton of blast beats and what seem like hurried songs. I really hope this isn’t the direction the band continues to take. The Minor Threat and Cramps covers really don’t do anything to add to the album. Vocally, their lead singer spends no time trying to sing, and spends the majority of the songs screaming incoherently. The lyrics are rather pathetic and really don’t do anything for me. This is EP is flat out disappointing. The band’s previous full length was absolutely amazing, but this EP struggles to entertain me. The musicianship and ability to make quality songs is still there, but the band clearly hasn’t reached their potential. favorite song: "rogue rodeo" rating: 72%/100% listen to crestfallen

Review: Radiation 4 - Wonderland

artist: radiation 4 album: wonderland label: abacus recordings released: 2003 by: rob tatum When a band sets out to “break the molds” or “set new standards” they typically fall short of their goal. When Radiation 4 formed, they wanted to take hardcore and metal and get away from convention. After giving Wonderland a listen, I can say that they definitely got away from convention, but I can’t really say that they have set new standards. Radiation 4 combines fast beats with occasional melodies into a chaotic barrage comparable to Botch, older Cave In, or Dillenger Escape Plan. The screaming takes a little getting used to because it is higher pitched than most hardcore and metal singers. The singing parts are a little out of the ordinary and the backing vocals are more along the lines of old school hardcore, and at times resemble Slayer styled growls. The guitar work definitely stands out. There are some creative overlays and melodies, even in the faster parts of the songs. The drumming is solid, but there are a lot of fast parts that don’t allow for much creativity. One aspect of the album that stands out to me is the use of electronically generated sounds. I don’t think I have ever said this, but they fit the music well. At first I wasn’t really sure what to make of them, but they add more to the music than they take away. The effects help shape the melodies into much more elaborate parts of the songs. Ordinarily I don’t really get into the fast paced, metal-orientated hardcore, but Radiation 4 does more than get away from convention. They manage to set themselves apart. Like I mentioned before, I wouldn’t call it setting new standards, but they do “break the mold” and have created something that is really an enjoyable listen. favorite song: "the prize" rating: 83%/100% listen to radiation 4

Review: Stop It! - Self Made Maps

artist: stop it! album: self made maps label: robotic empire released: 2003 by: rob tatum For a while there, I was beginning to wonder if I would ever hear another band that played melodic punk similar to Small Brown Bike, then comes Stop It! and quickly dispels that fear from my mind. Driving guitars, fast beats, and solid melodies fill Self Made Maps from start to finish. To totally stray away from music, I have to mention the packaging and liner notes to this CD. A multi-colored cardboard sleeve accompanies the CD rather than a typical case. The liner notes look like a collage of various pictures and papers, and the lyrics are slammed into the middle. It really has nothing to do with the music on this album, but it is a nice side-step from the conventional album artwork and packaging. Okay, back to the music. If you took away the vocals, the band could easily pass off as Small Brown Bike, or maybe older Hot Water Music playing an instrumental. It’s nothing fancy, but it sounds terrific. The downside to that is that the band is going to have a hard time avoiding constant comparisons. The vocals sound nearly identical to Small Brown Bike, and so do many of the songs. Lyrically, Stop It! tackles a variety of subjects, but manages to keep the lyrics pretty generic. I am a huge fan of Small Brown Bike, so I enjoyed this release, but at the same time, I really hate to see carbon-copy bands. Stop It! is solid in almost every aspect, but the resemblance really hurts their standing from my perspective. Self Made Maps is a good listen, but I’ll bet that I’m not the only one who can’t stop making the constant comparisons. favorite song: "name + number" rating: 84%/100% listen to stop it!

Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask

artist: the bled album: pass the flask label: fiddler records released: by: rob tatum The most difficult thing for a hardcore band nowadays is to establish themselves as something out of the ordinary and worth listening to. Tucson, AZ’s The Bled definitely does so with their first full length, Pass the Flask. The band has created ten songs of energetic and melodic beauty. The album has enough power to pummel its listeners during the breakdowns and yet still has that soothing edge of melody to balance everything out. Musically, The Bled falls along the lines of a heavier Poison the Well. The songs contain intense melodies with some solid guitar work. The breakdowns are just as heavy as any band in hardcore, but it’s the melodies that make this release so enjoyable. Most of the songs are hard-hitting, but the band’s ability to tie together each part of the song with intriguing transitions really creates a solid flow. Vocalist James Munoz exhibits a very powerful voice, adding to the prowess of each song. Comparable to a raspier version of Keith from Every Time I Die or Dan from Zao, his voice fits The Bled perfectly. One aspect of this album that I really enjoyed was the lyrics. Although they may appear to resemble some other bands in the same genre, they are much deeper than most metalcore releases. The songs touch a range of subjects, but focus on primarily on love, or love gone bad. My favorite quote comes from the song “Nothing We Say Leaves This Room” and reads, “how we reach for each other only to die alone. how we reach for the stars only to swim through the dead. how we strive to connect only to fall apart.” I really love this album's ability to grab the listener and begs for you to sing along. The Bled as asserted themselves as a force to reckon with in hardcore. As countless bands are formed everyday and many genres are getting overcrowded and tired, The Bled reassures this listener that there is hope out there. Pass the Flask is absolutely amazing. This is hands down the best thing to ever come from Arizona and is definitely one of the best releases of this year. favorite song: "spitshine sonata" rating: 93%/100% listen to the bled

Review: Mara'kate - Self-Titled MCD

artist: mara'akate album: self-titled mcd label: one day savior recordings released: by: rob tatum Short and erratic. Probably the best summary I can come up with to explain the songs on this very interesting release from Mara’akate. Sounding something like a choppy version of the Refused with little or no melody at all, Mara’akate touches base with a handful of genres all at once. There is some quality musicianship exhibited on this release, especially the drumming, but nothing stands out because the songs do a lot of stopping and starting. I had to listen to each song a couple of times to get a real feel for what was going on. The vocals are pretty difficult to understand, but at the same time, they seem to tie the chaotic riffs together. Lyrically, the six songs are nothing extraordinary, but are still interesting nonetheless. I would probably say this is one of those “change of pace” releases. I’m not usually into bands like Mara’akate, but I think that this MCD is a nice way to break up some of the monotony in the various genres this falls into. favorite song: "diet usurp?" rating: 73%/100% listen to mara'akate

Review: Mindfield - Be-low

artist: mindfield album: be-low label: lifeforce records released: by: rob tatum If I was writing a recipe to create the band Mindfield it would read as follows: take two parts In Flames and mix with one part Skid Row, blend, serve with an open mind. Immediately after inserting this CD I knew it was Swedish style metal ala In Flames, but what really got me was the Sebastian Bach styled vocals that showed up 45 seconds into the first song. I couldn’t help but to laugh, as bad as that might sound. To give Mindfield some credit, they are amazing musicians. The guitar work is excellent. Metal riff after metal riff tears up the listener’s ears. The vocals aren’t always the high-pitched wails, but don’t expect the hardcore style that accompanies bands like In Flames. There are some melodic sing alongs from time to time, as odd as that may seem. The lyrics, and song titles for that matter, are almost comical at times, but how can you complain when the second track is called "Destination 666”? Dark, demonic, and cheesy are the best words to reflect the lyrics. This album brings back all those memories of 80’s hair metal and yet attempts to bring with it some flashbacks of older Slayer as well. I’m not sure exactly where this album falls in. It’s a little too 80’s for the metal heads and a little too metal for the pop or rock fans. Honestly, the music is awesome and there are a handful of songs that you can’t help but sing along with, but I’m not really sure where it falls in my music collection. Basically if you are into metal in any way I would check this out, as it combines many of the subgenres into this one release. A very solid release for what it’s worth. favorite song: "desperate (death parade)" rating: 79%/100% listen to mindfield

Review: Fear Before the March of Flames - Odd How People Shake

artist: fear before the march of flames album: odd how people shake label: rise records released: 2003 by: devin braden This is the first LP from a young band (none of whom were over the age of 20 at the time of the recording) that hadn't even been around in their current form for even an entire year. Knowing this background information, one would expect this LP to sound unrefined and immature, and yet these five guys somehow have succeeded in creating one of the most intense and peculiar albums to come out this year. The album begins with the frenetic opener "Fashion Tips Baby" that seems to simultaneously recall The Blood Brothers, Norma Jean, Hopesfall, and numerous other established and equally diverse-sounding bands. This quirky blend of styles doesn't end with the first track and proves to be one of the most charming and rewarding qualities of this release. One minute they are playing in the strangely dissonant guitar style of Botch, and the next minute they are tearing the walls down with a mid-tempo jam like Norma Jean. The playing on the album is superb and the recording quality is fantastic - the label seems to have really done a great job in funding this recording. The guitar sounds are clear and precise, and the vocals are multi-layered and capture entirely the intensity and diversity of both Adam's voice and Dave's voice. The rerecorded songs from their demo ("Given To Dreams," "On the Brightside, She Could Choke") show a marked improvement and the new tracks define a clear path as to where Fear is headed in the future. This album has few downsides, but if I were forced to pick one, I would say that the sometimes-subtle-while-othertimes-overwhelming 'emo' qualities of this release might have a tendency to make this particular band sound more run-of-the-mill than they actually are. This is a great first full-length from a band that hopefully has a strong future ahead. favorite song: "the 20th century was entirely mine" rating: 91%/100% listen to fear before the march of flames

Review: The Escape Engine - Celebrity Role Model

artist: the escape engine album: celebrity role model label: fidelity records released: by: eduardo moutinho To be completely honest, I didn’t expect much from this release when I got it in the mail. I mean, the packaging was reminiscent of a cliché Ferret post-hardcore band ala A Static Lullaby. Thankfully, the mantra “don’t judge a book by its cover” applied in this situation. The Escape Engine can best be described as an amalgam of Grade, Somehow Hollow, and the vocals of Cedric Bixler (At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta). Imagine that combination for a second… If you’re like me, it’s hard to imagine the fusion of poppy post-hardcore with chaotic and not-so-harmonic vocals. It just doesn’t seem to match. But in this case, it is what gives the music of The Escape Engine some character and uniqueness. The musicality of this band is above average, but nothing spectacular. The guitars are well done, and the drums do the job. To be quite honest, nothing really stands out in this department, yet I do believe the band achieved the sound they sought after. The aforementioned vocals are interesting, and the vocalist does indeed have a singing voice incredibly similar to Bixler's. The one thing he does, which emulates modern-day Bixler, is scream on very few occasions. So if you yearn for chaotic, almost screamo-like vocals, you’re not getting it here. But I think the right path was chosen with the vocals. The combination of music and singing is intriguing enough as it is. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the song selection on this record. There are way too many slow and uninteresting post-hardcore ballads for my taste. While I do enjoy these kinds of songs if done correctly, in this case, there are too many and the majority of them are quite average. Bypassing the introductory track, the first three songs on the album, "Welcome to the Conversation," "This Jagged Alibi," and "The Six Month Accident" are well executed and they heightened my expectations for the rest of the album as I listened. Yet, like hitting an irritating path of grooved cement after cruising on freshly laid asphalt, as the ballads kicked in, my expectations went back down. Songs like, "A Lesson in Futility" and even the title track "Celebrity Role Model," are what I’m talking about here. To put it bluntly, I hoped for more variety. Nevertheless, there is solid material exhibited in addition to the first two songs, like "Joining the Club." I believe this group has impressive potential, and I am intrigued to hear their future work. This isn’t a bad freshman release at all, and acts as a good stepping-stone for these guys. I definitely think this is worthy of a listen just to hear the blending of the music and the vocals, and also as a release itself. As a side note, my brain hurts from thinking about how many bands use cheesy picture collages of teenage girls on their album covers… favorite song: "welcome to the conversation" rating: 82%/100% listen to the escape engine

Review: Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance

artist: thrice album: the artist in the ambulance label: island records released: 7/03 by: rob tatum Well, I can imagine the thoughts that ran through the heads of most people when various bands began signing to major labels. I know that I was excited about some of them and I feared what would happen to others. Thrice was one of the bands I feared might change their sound drastically on a major label debut. I don’t think that there were any real indications or anything, but I didn’t think that Thrice could maintain the direction of their previous releases. To an extent, I was right. They didn’t change their ideals or anything, and The Artist in the Ambulance still contains many staples of the Thrice sound, but the feel of the album is quite different from Identity Crisis and The Illusion of Safety. One thing I noticed on the first listen through the album was that the album is much more refined and mature sounding than the previous releases. Like I said, there are still elements that let you know this is a Thrice release, but the clichéd breakdowns and guitar solos that broke up the flow of the songs on previous releases are all but gone on The Artist in the Ambulance. The only song that contains one of these anticipated “breakdowns” is the sixth track, “Paper Tigers” and it really stands out from the rest of the album. I’m not saying that it’s a bad song by any means, but I know that I have heard things such as “I wish this band would ditch the punk and just be hardcore” or “I wish this band would ditch the hardcore and just be punk” and it’s songs like this that cause statements like that to be made. On the other hand, anyone who made the aforementioned comments about the band’s style might be disappointed with this release because it is more melodic than either of their previous releases, and the songs are more dynamic in structure. Sure the band still focuses on heavy melodies and fantastic guitar work, but it’s pieced together more intelligently than before. From my perspective I don’t think the band can really be categorized into one genre and this release cements that even more so. I have been a Thrice fan for quite some time, but there were times that I agreed with some of the complaints about too many blast beats or too many solos, and I hope that this release will erase those complaints from everyone else’s minds as well. After listening to this album about twenty or thirty times (yes, I haven’t stopped listening to it for about a week) I can’t help but be impressed by the majority of the songs. Yes, there are still parts of songs that don’t do much for me, but I think that is true for almost any release, but for the most part the songs on The Artist in the Ambulance are amazing. The melody that each song contains is terrific. I have realized that if Thrice was missing something on any of their previous releases it was the melody they have created on this album. The songs “Stare at the Sun” and the title track are the best songs I have heard from this band to date. Both songs are great sing-alongs and their structures are excellent. I am yet to find any one song that I don’t like and I really impressed with musicianship throughout. Dustin’s lyrics are still quality and he still manages to write heartfelt songs without getting too personal or too general. I have to say that I was skeptical of what Thrice would create on this album, but they didn’t disappoint. The Artist in the Ambulance is by far their best release. I wouldn’t go so far as to call this album essential for everyone, but this is a very high quality full length and I think that fans, as well as critics of the band’s previous material, should pick this up. favorite song: “stare at the sun” rating: 90%/100% listen to thrice

Review: Every Time I Die - Hot Damn!

artist: every time i die album: hot damn! label: ferret music released: july 2003 by: rob tatum Hot damn! Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t go that far in describing Every Time I Die’s newest album. Hot Damn! is thirty minutes of pure energy. Straying from the predominantly hardcore style exhibited on Last Night in Town, this release is primarily a combination of metal and rock. From time to time, a song will tease the listener into anticipating a breakdown, but what ensues is usually a fast-paced and chaotic barrage. Hot Damn! shows a much more defined approach to song writing. Staying true to the form of Last Night in Town, lead singer Keith Buckley’s lyrics are as erratic as ever. Covering topics from fighting to love to death, each song quickly establishes itself as a new journey. As aforementioned, there are fewer breakdowns than older Every Time I Die material, and the ones that do appear are much more straight forward. The progression the band has made since Last Night in Town becomes more evident with each listen. On that note, I’ll be perfectly honest: I thought this album was terrible the first time I listened to it. The band has really changed their style. A handful of songs contain singing parts that really remind me of Glassjaw, but Keith’s voice isn’t quite as developed to go that far. Hot Damn! stretches to many ends of the spectrum, but when it comes down to it, it is heavy, fast, and chaotic. The more I have listened to it, the more it has grown on me. To listen to this album once wouldn’t do it justice. While the complexity of it may not be apparent right away, the depth of each song begins to stand out both musically and vocally with each listen. I was disappointed that Every Time I Die had strayed away from the hardcore, but now that I see where the rock and metal is going, I can’t help but be impressed. favorite song: "she's my rushmore" rating: 87%/100% listen to every time i die

Review: Embrace Today - Soldiers

artist: embrace today album: soldiers label: deathwish inc released: 2003 by: rob tatum I can now re-define my definition of angry, fast-paced hardcore after listening to Embrace Today’s Soldiers. With nearly every one of the fifteen tracks being around one minute in length, Soldiers quickly covers subjects ranging from love to lies and ignorance. Embrace Today sets out to make ears bleed with this album. The lyrics are extremely angry and aggressive. Promoting straight edge and inner strength, Embrace Today attacks ignorance and self-doubt with violent lyrics and blistering music. In a sense, the album is positive, but it’s hard to see it in that light with the aggressive nature of the songs. All but one song on the album contain the word “fuck” in one form or another, and not to be a censor, but that seems a little excessive to me. Most of the songs are intelligently written, but the manner they are presented takes away from their full impact. Vocally, lead singer Steve Peacock differs from many singers within the same genre, with a less hoarse scream than most. Musically, however, Embrace Today falls in line with the majority of bands playing the same style of hardcore. Truthfully, there is nothing that sets them apart from the masses beyond the vocals. Well, the next time that you have the urge to sing-along and move around, this is a good album for that. If you are looking for musical progression or melody, Embrace Today won’t help you much. favorite song: "without you" rating: 71%/100% listen to embrace today

Review: Murder Weapon - Nervous Wreck

artist: murder weapon album: nervous wreck label: martyr records released: 2003 by: rob tatum Nervous Wreck is the debut EP from Virginia’s Murder Weapon. Harnessing the energy and power of driving guitars and angry vocals, they are sure to make a quick impact on the East coast. Fast-paced and filled with sing-alongs, Nervous Wreck is seven songs of hardcore fury. Falling somewhere along the lines of Figure Four or older Sick of it All, Murder Weapon brings an all-out assault to the table. Following the age-old formula for angry, East coast style hardcore, the songs are full of heartfelt sing-alongs and energy. The negative to this style of hardcore is that it is hard to stand alone amongst all the bands playing the same style. Murder Weapon does every thing right in producing music that will get the crowds moving and singing along, but they don’t really establish themselves as anything special. The lyrics are very generic, but great for piling on each other’s backs and screaming along. If you are a fan of basic, angry, straight forward hardcore that will get you moving, then this is right up your alley. As for me, there’s nothing special here. Not terrible, but it all runs together and gets old after a couple of songs. favorite song: "every night's the same" rating: 69%/100% listen to murder weapon

Review: Figure Four - Suffering the Loss

artist: figure four album: suffering the loss label: solid state records released: 2003 by: joe thomasson So I woke up this morning and listened to this band known as Figure Four. For some reason their music does not sound too new to me. They describe their music as brutal and themselves as seasoned warriors of the hardcore arena. They emerge with violent intensity and a sound that is down-right imposing. Well, brutal may be correct if you want to add that this music sounds way behind the times. Maybe that’s what they are shooting for? Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the random breakdowns that they employ throughout there album. They brought me to jump out of bed this morning and kick something myself. However, their lyrics are dry - very dry. I also cannot begin to comprehend why they employ a screamer whose voice is so bland. I don’t really hear anything that breaks down any barriers. This album sounds very old school hardcore to me. So if you like to listen to unoriginal music and stand around until that random breakdown comes, go to a Figure Four show. And if you enjoy listening to a CD where every song sounds almost the same, then Suffering the Loss is for you. Although, if you are in need of a quick wake up in the morning, this album may be of some help to you. favorite song: "kill and deceive" rating: 70%/100%

Spotlight: Across Five Aprils

bst spotlight band. Across Five Aprils? Isn't that the name of a book? Well, congratulations to the literary experts, but this doesn't concern that. Forming in the later part of 2001, Tennessee's Across Five Aprils has burst onto the melodic hardcore scene with authority. With the release of the band's new CD, A Tragedy in Progress, the band has really started to make a name for themselves. Combining elements of hardcore, emo, and even a little metal, the band is quite diverse and yet has some of the most amazing melodies to grace the hardcore scene. The new album captures their energy perfectly. Their songs are full of heartfelt lyrics and emotion. Across Five Aprils has mastered the art of transitioning between genres and gives listener's a roller-coaster effect without compromising melody. The diversity of their music makes the band a desirable listen for fans of many styles of music. To visit the band's website, go here. across five aprils official website listen to across five aprils indianola records

Review: Alkaline Trio - Good Mourning

artist: alkaline trio album: good mourning label: vagrant records released: 2003 by: rob tatum I have probably mentioned this more than a handful of times, but I can’t say it enough: trying to live up to your previous releases is the hardest thing that a band has to deal with. Alkaline Trio has become one of the bigger punk/emo bands over the last couple of years, but as their popularity has grown, their music has taken a toll for the worse. To this day, I feel that their first full length, Goddamnit, is their best release and that was released in late 1998. Well, almost five years later, they have released their fourth full length, Good Mourning on Vagrant Records. If I was going to summarize Good Mourning, I would probably say that it’s best described as all of the band’s previous releases thrown into a blender. The darker side of lead singer/guitarist Matt Skiba has really started to show in the latest releases, and is just as pertinent on this album. The difference between this album and the previous, From Here to Infirmary, is that the music is a little closer to that of Goddamnit than that of Maybe I’ll Catch Fire or the other releases.. There is a poppy feel to many of the songs, and some of them possess blistering tempos. The main problem for Alkaline Trio is that it makes the album really choppy. I had a difficult time finding any real flow to it. As with any release from Alkaline Trio, there are quite a few quality songs. I really enjoyed the song “Continental” as the music is similar to the I Lied My Face Off EP and the lyrics are twisted metaphors. Here’s a small excerpt from that song, “I often wonder what it feels like to be you. A mess like this stuck on your hands with crazy glue. Ran out of time, no kiss goodbye. Wish I could learn to let this sleeping dog die with lying to myself.” The thing that really hurts this album is that the songs don’t fit well together. This has been the case with pretty much all of their albums though, so it’s nothing really out of the ordinary. My biggest complaint with Good Mourning is that I don’t really see any progress. The band is as solid as ever musically and Skiba’s lyrics and vocals are still unmatched, but I guess that I just expected more. If you happen to be a fan of the band, then this is worth picking up, but if you have never experienced what Alkaline Trio is all about, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this album. It leaves a lot to be desired from a band that has so much to work with. favorite song: "continental" rating: 82%/100% listen to alkaline trio

Review: Throwdown - Haymaker

artist: throwdown album: haymaker label: trustkill records released: july 2003 by: rob tatum Every once in a while a band is forced to change singers due to unfortunate circumstances, and that happened to hit Orange County’s heaviest hardcore band Throwdown. Known for their intense breakdowns and sing-alongs, Throwdown is one of the newest additions to the Trustkill roster. Haymaker is the first release on the new label, and with the change in vocalists. I feared that with Keith and Dave switching duties of singer and guitarist that the band may not carry the same feel as their previous releases, and unfortunately, my fears have become reality. Haymaker is fourteen songs of straight forward, in your face, breakdown filled mayhem, but with the new vocalist, the band is not the same. There are a couple of re-recorded old songs, which really stand out to fans of previous material. “Nothing Left” is the first of these songs, and it really stands out like a sore thumb. Overall, the band hasn’t changed its focus, but the difference is too obvious to overlook. The songs are still as heavy as ever and the lyrics are still as angry and positive as before… if you can call them that. New sing-alongs include “Forever” which includes lines such as, “You wanna know why I am still here after all these years? For myself, for my friends, for my family, forever, I’ll take this to the bitter end.” One thing is for sure, Throwdown has not strayed away from what has made them what they are. Staying true to their Straight Edge roots, they included a re-recorded version of “Raise Your Fist”. The album is nothing special. The new vocals are not awful, but they aren’t what I have become accustomed to as a Throwdown fan. The same intensity is in the music, so if you are looking for something to make your eardrums shake and get you riled up, then Haymaker is exactly what you need, otherwise spend your money on something else. favorite song: "you can't kill integrity" rating: 76%/100% listen to throwdown