Driven Far Off

Artist: Underoath
Album: Define The Great Line
Label: Tooth & Nail / Solid State
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 20, 2006

Overall: 10
Music: 10
Lyrics: 10
Production: 10

Bands are criticized by their musical captivity on their records, their live performance and stage presence, and their overall interaction with their fans (the most important group of people in the music industry). There are some bands that excel only two of the three with excellence, then there are others that only focus on perfecting one and leave the others blank. It is rare to find a band that is outstanding on recordings, intensely driven with stage presence, and sincerely devoted to their fans. When it comes down to thinking of such a band, there is only one that comes to mind that has captivated each essence with perfection.

Underoath was started when the members were in high school and they just wanted to start a band to pursue their love for music and faith. The music in the beginning was heavy, filled with guitar work and destructive vocals by ex vocalist, Dallas Taylor. The band throughout the years has evolved into one of the most respected rock band that is also changing the way we view music. Underoath has stated that they never make a record twice; they enter the record studio with an open mind and set themselves up with no limitations. Never has a statement been so true then with Underoathâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s last record release, Define the Great Line.

Define the Great Line is Underoathâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s finest works and can easily be considered one of the greatest records ever to grace human beingsâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ ears. In a quick summary, the record is an eleven song compilation of their other records added with a new sound never heard before. The record has the guitar works and overall brutal sound from Cries of the Past and Act of Depression. The record has the instrumental aspects and keyboard usage of The Changing of Times. Lastly, the record has the catchy parts of the song that fans can sing back to the band from Theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re Only Chasing Safety. Underoath has also managed to bring something new to the table with their ability to experiment and see music with no limitations.

This epic record begins with â┚¬Ã…”In Regards to Myselfâ┚¬?, which sets the listener to what is to come from Define the Great Line. The song begins with the sound of an old fashioned projector being turned on. The projector is interrupted by a catchy guitar part and is joined by the highly impressive screams of Spencer Chamberlain. Throughout the song the listener will begin noticing the heavy yet synchronized guitar work that is an improvement from Theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re Only Chasing Safety. Spencer vocals have also improved and the listener is able to notice is wide rage from highs, deeps, and mids. As the song is only getting heavier, drummer and vocalist, Aaron Gillespie breaks free and sings in with a catchy chorus that is overtaken by Spencer, than once again sung by Aaron. The song continues with its heavy essence until it slows down and you hear the perfectly sounding singing of Gillespie. â┚¬Ã…”In Regards to Myselfâ┚¬? is a perfect way to open up the record. It sets the listener up for intensity of the record, the catchy singing of the record, and the honestly written lyrics. With such lines as â┚¬Ã…”What are you afraid of?â┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”Pull yourself togetherâ┚¬?, it is obvious that Underoath is set with a message to showcase to the world.

â┚¬Ã…”A Moment Suspended in Timeâ┚¬? has less heavy guitar work and brings the listener back to the sound of Theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re Only Chasing Safety. The singing and screaming is equally used throughout the track. The song has its slow parts that you can sing along to and it also has its energy boosting moments. Overall, itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s a great song that showcases Underoathâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s talent and experimentation with the keyboard.

â┚¬Ã…”There Could Be Nothing After Thisâ┚¬? starts out with Spencer with a faint scream with a repetitive guitar rhythm behind him. The song is broken into full force after Spencer says â┚¬Ã…”You want to see me disappear, well so do I.â┚¬? Afterwards there is a catchy, dancing type beat with Spencer screaming in the background. The chorus is split between Gillespie and Chamberlain and catchy like any other Underoath chorus. The song stops 30 seconds before the actual song ends and a soft instrumental begins with the soft sounding, non-distortion guitar and piano keys. Overall, a great song that is slightly progressive from TOCS.

â┚¬Ã…”Ever So Invitingâ┚¬? begins with the hard hitting screams of Spencer Chamberlain with honest lyrics to go along with it. The beginning of this song is filled with catchy singing, keyboard, and more of an upbeat feeling to the essence of the song. The keyboard is strongly used in this song and gives the song an overall upbeat feeling that is not only catchy, but uplifting. This song clearly shows the improvement of vocals from Aaron Gillespie, which isnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t really needed, being that his vocals are some of the best in the music industry already.

â┚¬Ã…”Salmarnirâ┚¬? is the first song Underoath released to the public from Define the Great Line, and an interesting song it was to release first. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s slow, and mostly instrumental until you hear spoken word in Russian (at least it sounds Russian). This song is relaxing and serves as an intermission from Underoathâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s energy driven songs filled with every aspect that is the band. It gives off an uplifting essence and leaves the listener reflecting on their thoughts.

â┚¬Ã…”Returning Empty Handedâ┚¬? begins with a constant drum roll but is broken by Spencer Chamberlainâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s screams. It is easy to see that this song is going to be on the heavy side. The guitar work is outstanding and fast paced and something never seen in Theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re Only Chasing Safety. Spencer showcases once again his amazing wide range vocal ability. The song is slowed down and singing sets up only to be pushed aside by screaming. This song is beautifully written and makes the listener realize how impressive this record is so far.

â┚¬Ã…”Casting Such a Thin Shadowâ┚¬? starts off instrumental, soft and relaxing for the beginning three minutes and forty seconds. The music builds up along with a faint scream from Spencer. This song has more of an epic feeling with the less intense fast paced music but with the brutal screams still echoing inside your ears.

â┚¬Ã…”Moving For The Sake of Movingâ┚¬? starts off faced paced from the beginning and starts off with a mixture of screaming and singing. The song possesses of all the elements of their last two records. The catchy singing, the keyboard beats, the sincere screaming, the beautifully written lyrics.

â┚¬Ã…”Writing on the Wallsâ┚¬? begins with singing from Aaron Gillespie backed up by keyboard beat. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s easy to figure out why this was Underoathâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s first single. This song is the most from Define The Great Line that sounds like their odd stuff from Theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re Only Chasing Safety. Overall, a great track that balances every aspect that Underoath has to offer, which is a lot.

â┚¬Ã…”Everyone Looks So Good From Hereâ┚¬? is possibly one of the heaviest tracks on the record, filled with fast paced guitar work, pounding drum beats, keyboard beats, and a breakdown that is rarely seen in Underoath. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s a short song, but one of the most brutal and guts wrenching.

â┚¬Ã…”To Whom It May Concernâ┚¬? is the last song on the record and it begins instrumental with everything from drums, guitars, and piano. Afterwards, there is chanting sounding singing that is uplifting and hopeful with lyrics such as â┚¬Ã…”So hold your head up high, and know, itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s not the end of the roadâ┚¬?. This part of the song is motivating, inspiring, and enough to have chills running up your spine. The singing stops, the instrumental slows down, and the screaming and heavy aspect of Underoath breaks free. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s not as fast paced as the other songs but the heaviness is still there and the intensity and still echoing your ear drums. The screaming is stopped with the last lines screamed â┚¬Ã…”Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s not the end of the road for youâ┚¬?. The instrumental part from the beginning enters and so does the chant singing more uplifting lyrics, such as â┚¬Ã…”At the end of the road, youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll find what you are looking forâ┚¬?. This is a perfect way to the end the record. It consists of everything Underoath has brought to the table with this record and it is also one of the most hopeful songs you will ever hear.

Define The Great Line is a record that isnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t made up of eleven singles but made up of eleven songs that compliment each other and only when you listen to the record as a whole, will you begin to understand everything. This is such an epic record that after listening to it twenty times, you still want to listen to it another twenty times. This is one of those records that will never get old. The record is about life and the struggles we face but also how we manage to pull ourselves through the struggles and know that there is always hope for us. From the first track to the last, you are strapped in for a journey that will leave you a different person in the end. The vocals can be taken away from every song on this record and the record will still be outstanding.

Underoathâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Define The Great Line is one of the most beautifully created and talent showcasing records ever released. This record is everything everyone made it out to be and so much more. If this record isnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t already in your CD collection than I highly suggest you go out and by it. You will find yourself listening to it constantly and finding truth and hope in the lyrics. Congratulations Underoath, you have created the record of the century.

Track Listing:
1. In Regards to Myself
2. A Moment Suspended in Time
3. There Could Be Nothing After This
4. You’re Ever So Inviting
5. Salmarnir
6. Returning Empty Handed
7. Casting Such a Thin Shadow
8. Moving for the Sake of Motion
9. Writing on the Walls
10. Everyone Looks So Good From Here
11. To Whom It May Concern