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Take Action Tour 2007 – Hollywood, CA

March 5, 2007 By Michael Schneider Leave a Comment

Take Action Tour

Take Action Tour 2007 Featuring
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Emery, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, A Static Lullaby and Kaddisfly
Feb 25 @ House Of Blues – Hollywood, CA

Let me start by apologizing to Kaddisfly. I was unable to make it in time, largely in part to the stellar (sarcasm), consistently overpriced parking at HOB. Besides this, there aren’t many things to complain about when it comes to HOB venues. Seemingly always well staffed, and under control, House of Blues concerts always have the big show feel with the smaller venue intimacy.

Starting off with recently reformed A Static Lullaby, the Take Action Tour was very much the ‘scream cause it’s trendy’ lineup I expected this year. ASL is nothing special, and definitely one of the least impressive live acts I’ve seen in a while. I think the main source of my distain is their lack of energy. Yes, they move around on the stage a fair amount, but when you put them up against the other bands on this tour, they’re not worth your time.

Scary Kids Scaring Kids definitely accomplished their band name. With their keyboardist removing his shirt and practically dry-humping his keyboard to death, I think any of the audience not familiar with the band were turned off. However, as far as performance goes, they were actually quite impressive. I found their music to be well organized and vocally it was executed with precision. I’m not sure if I’d make an extensive effort to see them again, but as an opener, they were just what the show needed to really get off the ground.
Being from Seattle, it’s great to see local favorites succeed on a bigger level. While Emery originally hailed from South Carolina, I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at many of the band’s first shows. Today, Emery is easily one of the best live bands in music. Playing now as a five-piece due to the departure of their bassist last fall, they haven’t lost a bit of their live show. In-your-face screams blended with melodies that knock you off your feet, unfortunately their set was cut shorter than we all expected, and we only got to hear about six songs.

With the shorter set, came a presentation of a tour plaque to the headlining act, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus by members of Hopeless Records, and tour beneficiaries Youth America Hotline (1.877.Youthline). This good gesture was followed by an incredible set from one of the newer artists in this vein. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus were picked up by Virgin Records and their release “Don’t You Fake It” has already been certified gold. Playing almost the whole record, the band blended great musicianship and pure intensity and has again impressed me as a live act.

As long I can see, the Take Action! Tour will continue to be a staple to the music community. Blending the recent trend to be socially-mindful and active, with some incredible bands, you automatically have a recipe for success. No matter who is playing on this tour, you can always expect to get your money’s worth. If you don’t, why do you care? A portion of the proceeds go to suicide prevention. Take some time, and TAKE ACTION. For more information, head to takeactiontour.com.

Scary Kids Scaring KidsEmeryRed Jumpsuit Apparatus

Filed Under: News, Reviews, Show Tagged With: A-Static-Lullaby, Emery, Kaddisfly, Scary-Kids-Scaring-Kids, The-Red-Jumpsuit-Apparatus

Life In Your Way – Waking Giants

March 4, 2007 By Julie 2 Comments

waking giants

Artist: Life In Your Way
Album: Waking Giants
Label: Solid State Records
Purchase: Smartpunk
Release Date: March 6, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.5

After releasing two albums on Indianola then being dropped from the imprint, Connecticut natives Life In Your Way have teamed up with hardcore Christian staple Solid State for their third outing Waking Giants. If you fancy yourself a fan of melodic hardcore, Waking Giants may be a worthwhile, albeit unmemorable, addition to your record collection. Crafting songs that roar and reign but still remain highly tuneful, LIYW deliver your cornerstone sing/scream breakdowns amidst some admittedly catchy guitar parts.

Produced by veteran “farm man” GGGarth Richardson, Waking Giants delivers on most fronts, never compromising it’s hardcore elements to reach a greater appeal. Tracks like “We Don’t Believe” and “Making Waves” showcase LIYW at the peak of their genre, mixing enchanting chord progression with heavy breakdowns and solid scream/sing choices. Even songs that start off less than brutal eventually find their callousness amongst the melody (Reach The End, Salty Grave). The redone “Threads Of Sincerity” (which appeared on the band’s previous album) sounds more intense than ever, flaunting a self-assured conviction that wasn’t apparent in LIYW’s past efforts. In fact, the greatest thing LIYW has to offer in this album is their ability to punctuate their song structures. In “Worthwhile” beautifully executed vocals are complemented by Joshua’s growls before tearing away into slow-moving savagery.

In my book, there’s a fine line between raw and polished that can make or break a band. All raw and no polish makes for an earache of a listen; over-polished and under-heated lacks the heart that’s central in hardcore. Life In Your Way did a good job tight walking the line, and consequently wrote songs that shirk predictability and rigor. However, I feel the album tries to do too much in the way of proving itself to both the hardcore and melodic hardcore communities. There are lot of great ideas and riffing inherent in this album, but few of them are ever taken to completion. What’s left is something that feels like the first draft of an epic poem–tons of great stanzas, but no ultimate build up and resolution. And although LIYW make it evident that’s what they’re trying to do, the pieces just don’t seem to fit the way they should.

Furthermore, as with many releases in this genre, there’s nothing truly original that Life In Your Way bring to the table. Labelmates As Cities Burn did a similar release two years ago, and while Waking Giants comes across slightly better than Son I Loved You At Your Darkest, it doesn’t stir the tide enough to ever break a wave. This pattern, in general, has plagued Solid State’s name over the past two years. They’ve been signing bands that, for all intents and purposes, have been pretty generic.

With that in mind, if you’ve been a longstanding fan of Life In Your Way, you’ll want to pick up Waking Giants to hear the progression the band have made since leaving Indianola (because it is considerable). However, if you’re a just a passing fan of the genre, move along until something better awakes the giant.

Track Listing:
1. Reach the End
2. Worthwhile
3. We Don’t Believe
4. Making Waves
5. The Shame
6. Salty Grave
7. Help! The Arm of the Mighty
8. Threads of Sincerity
9. The Beauty of Grace
10. Judas
11. Beneath It All:

Standout Tracks:
Reach The End, We Don’t Believe, Making Waves, Threads of Sincerity

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Life-In-Your-Way, Solid-State-Records

Permanent Me – After The Room Clears

March 1, 2007 By Reema Desai 1 Comment

Permanent Me

Artist: Permanent Me
Album: After The Room Clears
Label: Stolen Transmission
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 23, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 9.0

“After The Room Clears” was the fourth full length to ever be released on Stolen Transmission Records, a label that has built itself up seemingly overnight. Permanent Me (previously called Yes, Virginia) was one of the first to be signed on the label, and after recording and relentless touring, they’ve finally put out a full-length record.

The album is upbeat and nearly every song seems to be an energetic pop number about relationships, and to be more precise, relationships gone wrong; not that this is a bad thing. “After The Room Clears” possess a certain energy that makes up for the few parts that get somewhat repetitive. A supreme example of this energy is the first 10 seconds of the record. Permanent Me wastes no time with a intro song, but rather jumps into the record with â┚¬Ã…”Until You Leaveâ┚¬?, a catchy, upbeat song that promises to get stuck into your head. This approach sets up the mood for the rest of the album and the song is the perfect way to start off the record.
As the album continues, the energy captured in the first song is never lost, making the record that much more memorable. The band showcases it’s potential most notably in the songs “Dead To You”, where vocalist Brian Kapler sings with an extra bit of intensity that was previously unheard on the rest of the album.
The final song on the record “20 Years” demonstrated the same potential that “Dead To You.” Maybe it’s the “whoaâ┚¬?s in the chorus, but every time I hear this song, I can’t help but think it’s one of those songs that you go to a concert and can’t wait to hear because you can’t wait to sing along. A lot of the record is like that, and although it’s not groundbreaking, it’s fun pop rock that people can have fun listening to.

Track Listing
1. Until You Leave
2. Allison
3. Heartattack
4. 4 A.M.
5. Christine
6. Blackjaw
7. By the Time
8. Later On
9. Friday Night
10. Dead to You
11. NYC
12. 20 Years

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Permanent-Me

Ernie Halter CD Release Show

February 28, 2007 By Michael Schneider Leave a Comment

Ernie Halter

Ernie Halter
CD Release Show – February 12th, 2006
Knitting Factory – Los Angeles, CA

Let me start by expressing my excitement when I figured out where exactly the Knitting Factory is. Right in the heart of Hollywood, and being from out of state, I had probably the most fun I’ve ever had before a concert exploring the area. Beyond that, the intimate setting the venue provided was perfect for the crowd, a diverse group as far as age.
Ernier Halter has come quite a ways since beginning to perform on a consistent basis. He’s played with John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Tony Lucca, Tyrone Wells and many other famous names, but he still has the work ethic to play small coffee houses and college campus shows as much as he possibly can. When I was invited to check out his CD Release show, I made every effort to make it happen.
Ernie’s crowd neared or met the capacity of the venue, and consisted of many popular LA area performers and industry reps. The average size stage was consumed with an incredible six piece band to accompany, and the group pushed their way into the set.
Halter came out and performed flawlessly about 12 songs, including hits from older releases, and new uptempo groove tracks from the new release, Congress Hotel. His band never missed a beat and his voice never missed a note. Upon the introduction to ‘Whisper’, Ernie thanked and recognize the co-writer of the song, who happened to be standing directly in front of me. Ever appreciative of Ernie’s talents, one can further infer that he truly is one of the most genuine people in music.
More impressive than nearly ever solo act I’ve ever seen, take one of the many chances nation-wide to see one of Ernie’s performances. His new album released on Rockridge Records is now available nation wide, and nearly every show is broadcast live on Ernie’s myspace. A big thank-you to Ernie and Krista Mettler at Skye Media!

Ernie Haltern56901735_30729549_9385.jpgErnie Halter

Filed Under: News, Reviews, Show Tagged With: Ernie-Halter

Deas Vail – All The Houses Look The Same

February 28, 2007 By Tyler Hayes 11 Comments

deas vail all the houses look the same

Artist: Deas Vail
Album: All The Houses Look The Same
Label: Brave New World
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 6th, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.0

From a pretty unknown band comes the best release thus far in the year. Deas Vail has a style pop enough to attract almost anyone, but deep enough to earn your respect. â┚¬Ã…”All the houses look the sameâ┚¬? is an amazing full length debut from the band, and will surely put them on a lot of peopleâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s radar from now on.

Even the first time I listened to the record I knew I liked it; the more I listened the more I love it. Deas Vail will probably sound very familiar to you like it did me. At first I shook it off, but it finally hit me when listening to the mellower song â┚¬Ã…”Shorelineâ┚¬?. â┚¬Ã…”Shorelineâ┚¬? sounds like a song from Mae, it doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t stop there though. â┚¬Ã…”Stillâ┚¬?, the closing song sounds like Copeland, and â┚¬Ã…”Life in these little boatsâ┚¬? sounds like it could have been on a Mute Math record. I think mostly itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s the music thatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s reminiscing of those bands but when I finally figured out who it was reminding me of, it surprised me how similar the songs sounded. Of course this is not a bad thing for Deas Vail I guess just a compliment to the other bands I mentioned.

â┚¬Ã…”All the houses look the sameâ┚¬? is beautiful both musically and vocally. The instruments lay down a perfect foundation for the stand out vocals. The album achieves a balance of rock and intimacy most bands only dream of. The stand out tracks would have to be â┚¬Ã…”Anything you sayâ┚¬?, along with â┚¬Ã…”Light as airâ┚¬?. Please check out this release, it will be worth your money for the disc.

Track Listing
1. Standing…
2. Light As Air
3. Surface
4. Rewind
5. Shoreline
6. A Lover’s Charm
7. Follow Sound
8. Anything You Say
9. Shadows and City Lights
10. For Miles To Come
11. Life In These Little Boats
12. This Place Is Painted Red
13. …Still

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Deas-Vail

Melee – Devils & Angels

February 26, 2007 By Tyler Hayes Leave a Comment

Melee Devils & Angels

Artist: Melee
Album: Devils & Angels
Label: Warner Bros.
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 3rd, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.8
Production: 9.0

Sometimes I wonder whether a band was crafted to be a top 40 pop band, or they were just destined to be that from the start. Melee is one of those bands destined to end up on your mom’s favorite adult contemporary station sooner or later. This piano rock is infectious and with the right marketing (one can only hope) this band will take off extremely fast.

Melee is one of those bands that have a funny name and may turn people off but donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t let it deter you from some awesome piano rock. I enjoyed the album the first couple times I heard it, and there are a few songs such as â┚¬Ã…”Frequently babyâ┚¬?, and â┚¬Ã…”imitationâ┚¬? that you can’t help but just love but too many songs just fall short. â┚¬Ã…”Devils and Angelsâ┚¬? is comparable to suburbia communities; yeah the houses may be different colors but their all just same 4 molds over and over again.

The new CD â┚¬Ã…”Devils and Angelsâ┚¬? comes off a little too slick and too well done. I know itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s hard to argue that something is â┚¬Ã…”Too well doneâ┚¬?, but the music gets boring and repetitive in some spots and lyrically some parts are hard to take seriously.

With all that being said, I love this band. I love the strong and amazing vocals and the catchy melodies this band lays down. I think its worth you time to check out some songs from this record, but for the money I recommend buying their last record â┚¬Ã…”Everyday behaviorâ┚¬?.

Tracklisting
1. Built To Last
2. Rhythm Of Rain
3. Frequently Baby (She’s A Teenage Maniac)
4. For A Lifetime
5. Drive Away
6. Can’t Hold On
7. Imitation
8. Love Carries On
9. She’s Gonna Find Me Here
10. Biggest Mistake
11. You Got
12. Stand Up

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Melee

Damiera – M(us)ic

February 22, 2007 By Tyler Hayes 1 Comment

Dameria m(us)ic

Artist: Damiera
Album: M(us)ic
Label: Equal Vision
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 23rd, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.9
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 7.9

I rewrote this review over and over again about 4 times, each time feeling just as boring and dumb as the last. I don’t know if it’s the album or I just have writers block for this band. I’m going to try something different, making this review very short and to the point.

M(us)ic is a very good album. It’s subtly catchy, its technical, but most of all it shows the potential of this band. I think Equal Vision wanted to cash in on this band’s already good album (by re releasing it) without paying for a new studio album yet. Smart move on their part, I just can’t wait to hear the next album from these guys because I think the way â┚¬Ã…”Over Itâ┚¬? progressed from a very punk band into pop punk I think Damiera will become more accessible and people will really be able to get into them.

Vocals are awesome, and music great, my only thing is that the album can get repetitive at times but that, in my opinion, wonâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t deter most people.

Tracklisting
1. Immure
2. Lessons
3. M(US)IC
4. Via Invested
5. I AM Pulse
6. Ember Eason
7. Departures
8. Flora: Yield
9. Broken Hands
10. Obsessions

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: damiera, Equal Vision Records

Destroy The Runner – Saints

February 20, 2007 By Manuel Enrique Garcia 1 Comment

Destroy The Runner

Artist: Destroy The Runner
Record: Saints
Label: Solid State Records
Purchase: SmartPunk
Release Date: September 12th, 2006

Overall: 9.0
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.0

You had a rough day and youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve now inherited that pathetic walk. The walk where youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re arching your back to resemble Quasimodo, your feet start dragging as if you were walking on ice, and your eyes aim at the ground as if there were small inscriptions written on it. Nothing is able to lift up your spirit. There is nothing with enough positive fuel to straighten your back, lift your feet, and have your head held up high.

The word â┚¬Ã…”saintâ┚¬? is known as a positive word that is entitled to those that have been canonized, but the process of canonization isnâ┚¬Ã‹Å“t an easy one. Life many times comes full forth with struggles, hardships, and experiences that will leave you attempting anything to get rid of them. Destroy The Runnerâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”Saintsâ┚¬? will leave you hopeful, positive, and realizing that your tribulations arenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t going to make the world stop revolving. With positive lyrics, technical guitar riffs, catchy singing, and solid screaming, Destroy The Runner has made a solid debut record that will leave you humming and wanting more.

The record begins and ends with similar instrumental tracks, giving you a smooth sailing entry into the record and leaving you with a relaxing exit. â┚¬Ã…”My Darknessâ┚¬? starts out with a perfect example of the ability of the guitarists to manifest their talents into impressive riffs. The beginning section of the song is consists with a cheerful melody and the screamed vocals of Kyle Setter. The chorus is extremely catchy and will leave you singing along by the next time the chorus rolls around.

The rest of the record consists of well structured songs that consists everything that Destroy The Runner is capable of. The intro to â┚¬Ã…”Columbiaâ┚¬? starts off with a addictive synchronizing and mixture of guitars, drums, and singing of the cliché phrase stated by parents around the world, â┚¬Ã…”We all learn from our failuresâ┚¬?. The majority of the songs on the record have similar format, where there is a catchy chorus that is sung, a solid breakdown, melodic guitar riffs, and heavy drumming. Regardless of the similar song basis, â┚¬Ã…”Saintsâ┚¬? is a outstanding record from a band that is making their way into the hearts of fans worldwide.

After listening to Destroy The Runnerâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”Saintsâ┚¬?, you will find yourself walking away with a new outlook on life and an abandonment of that pathetic walk. You will have your back straighten, unless you suffer from Scoliosis, than you are out of luck and might need a find an affordable chiropractor. Your feet will no longer drag; they will stride heavy like a soldier walking away from a prideful victory. Your eyes will be aimed at the sky, as if the answers to lifeâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s questions were written on a giant chalkboard in the clouds. Destroy The Runner will lift up your spirit and give you hope, but also leave you with a record that is well written. â┚¬Ã…”Saintsâ┚¬? will urge you to jump on a plane, fly out to Destroy The Runnerâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s next show, and shake the hand of the band members for making a solid debut record.

Track Listing
1. My Darkness
2. Columbia
3. Saints
4. The Aleph
5. From The Red
6. Separate
7. Without Sight
8. Sound Of Reason
9. There Can Be No Hesitation
10. Thoughts In Reverse
11. Pall Bearer

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Destroy The Runner, Solid-State-Records

Typhoid Mary – Take Shelter EP

February 19, 2007 By Julie 4 Comments

typhoidmary_takeshelter

Artist: Typhoid Mary
Album: Take Shelter EP
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Interpunk, CDBaby
Release Date: January 16, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.5

Typhoid Mary deserves to be the band that you discover in 2007.Ԛ  Their debut EP Take Shelter combines the best of pop-punk/rock youth delivered in contagious, DIY-ethic doses. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia this unsigned band has all the talent of your run-of-the-mill Epitaph or Triple Crown band, yet boasts twice the memorability factor. Produced by Zack Odom & Kenneth Mount (Cartel, All Time Low, The Fold), Take Shelter is clearly a product of these famed producers as Typhoid Mary sounds eerily like pop-rock heroes Cartel with enough of the right guitar licks and vocal harmonies to make them more reputable than a throwaway sound-alike.

Not quite original, but admittedly catchy and polished, Take Shelter manages to engage from beginning to end. Opener “Dear Deceitful” starts with a howling siren and subliminal warnings before launching into a energetic and punchy rock anthem.Ԛ  Clearly these boys know the importance of a good guitar riff because if there are any expectations for Take Shelter, then the standout riff is it. “Last Line of Defense” is particularly clever around 1:24 when vocalist Mike Cato sings “you know the phone works both ways” and an automated voice recording cuts in as a well timed addition to the music. Speaking of Mike Cato, this guy has a great voice. It’s no Stephan Christian, but it’s clear and measured and does considerable justice on tracks like “Take Shelter” and “So Sorry” where the guitars take a backseat and the vocals steal the limelight.

All the tracks on Take Shelter are relatively high energy and upbeat. I’d like to see what Typhoid Mary can do on a down tempo tune because, really, that’s where the true test of a band’s talent lays. And honestly, I don’t think these guys give themselves enough credit because I think they’d do an awesome job on a ballad despite coming off as the type of band that knows its bread and butter is in the high energy hitter. On the downside, because Typhoid Mary are almost too practiced in their song writing style, many of the songs are interchangeable. However, this is to be expected from a band’s first effort, especially from one that is still unsigned.Ԛ  Hey labels get it together and sign these guys!

Track Listing:

1. Dear Deceitful
2. Last Line of Defense
3. Take Shelter
4. Filthy Habit
5. So Sorry
6. Leaving

Standout Tracks:

Dear Deceitful, Last Line of Defense, Take Shelter

Filed Under: Album, News, Reviews Tagged With: Typhoid-Mary

Anberlin – Cities

February 18, 2007 By Julie 8 Comments

anberlin_cities

Artist:Anberlin
Album: Cities
Label: Tooth & Nail Records
Purchase: Smartpunk
Release Date: February 20, 2007

Overall: 8.5
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 9.5
Production: 9.5

Before I sat down to write this review I replayed Cities over and over under the delusion that if I listened to it enough times maybe I could shake the feeling that I was being cheated. The moment Cities dropped into my mailbox I could feel the excitement coming off me in waves. I was thrilled merely ogling it in its hot plastic casing, yet as soon as I set my ears on Cities I felt like I wanted nothing to do with it.

Now let’s get a few facts straight. Anberlin are one of my favorite bands in the world and I was all over Never Take Friendship Personal like fashion on Rodeo Drive, but someplace between Cites and NTFP, Anberlin went too ‘Pop and Technicolor’ for my tastes. That said Cities is not a bad album by a long shot. However, it stops way short on being one of my favorites. Where Never Take Friendship Personal came across as a poetic take on aggression, Cities confuses me with its continuous tightwalk between unnecessarily artificial and heartbreakingly honest.

With its snarling technical guitars and call and answer style vocals, ‘Godspeed’ reminds me most of Anberlin’s NTFP days. ‘Adelaide,’ meanwhile, could be the next radio/TRL hit waiting to happen. ‘Dismantle. Repair’ is another one of my favorites, painting a vivid story through its lyrical vignettes and harmonic guitar chords. And arguably closer ‘*fin’ does something magically with its chamber choral vocals acting like an invocation of child angels. However, that is where the buck ends as ‘A Whisper & A Clamor,’ while boasting a powerful message, starts lacking a particular energy and ends with even less gas. Acoustic ballad ‘The Unwinding Cable Car’ is a lyrical gem and vocal pleasantry, but quickly degrades into something musically repetitive and lackluster. And forgive me if this offends anyone, but the synth elements of ‘There Is No Mathematics To Love And Loss’ and ‘Reclusion’ are actually slightly irritating to me. Overall, a solid portion of this album struck me as boring and I felt much more compelled to skip tracks here than I ever did during NTFP.

While some would argue this album tests far more musical boundaries than anything Anberlin have offered in the past, I feel as though the band took the concept of unfetteredness too liberally. Older is not synonymous with better, and in some cases going from a state of good to amazing means getting worse first. Like my dad likes to say when he fixes things, “Julie, it’s going to get worse before it gets better.” And for me that’s totally fine. Just because people want Cities to be a step up from NTFP, it doesn’t mean it is. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely think Anberlin are a better band now than they were 2 years ago. Christian’s voice is more dynamic than ever, Youngâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s drumming has improved ten-fold, and Aaron Sprinkle has once again proven why he’s one of the best producers in the scene. In spite of this, something about Cities seems distractingly hit and miss and highly inconsistent.

To make a specific point of this, let me reference Thrice’s 2006 concept album Vheissu. The Artist and the Ambulance found Thrice at the pinnacle of their fanbase and acclaim, yet Vheissu came out of nowhere with it’s unusual un-Thrice sound and left fans feeling more than a little unsatisfied. While the band was as musically apt as ever, Vheissu was not their best album to date. With Thrice’s new 4 element concept album in the works, I’d like to think they have taken the criticism of Vheissu and applied it their new approach, but only time will tell. Likewise, I hope Anberlin will come to realize the missteps taken on Cities and use that to justify creating an album that shine, uplifts, and enthralls from start to finish.

Want the sentence version of this review? Pick up Cities for an above-average tromp through the lyrical stanza’s of Stephan Christian and musical refrains of Joseph Milligan. But if you want substance, staying power, AND sing-along quality go pick up or rediscover 2005’s Never Take Friendship Personal.

Track Listing:
1. (Debut)
2. Godspeed
3. Adelaide
4. A Whisper And A Clamor
5. The Unwinding Cable Car
6. There Is No Mathematics To Love And Loss
7. Hello Alone
8. Alexithymia
9. Reclusion
10. Inevitable
11. Dismantle. Repair.
12. (*Fin)

Standout Tracks:
Godspeed, Adelaide, (*Fin), Dismantle. Repair

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Anberlin, Tooth And Nail

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