Reviews

These three guys from Santa Rosa, CA sure now know to bring the rock, and at
the same time, showcase nearly every element that goes along with the general
public's current perspective of the term "emo." Every song on here is
powerful, aggressive, and leaves an impression on you, whether it be the
album's rocking opener "This Housecall Could Kill You" or the softer, more
subtle "Angel On Hiatus." Vocalist/Guitarist Michael Richardson's guitar
playing is a big reason as to why this album is so good to begin with, with
everything ranging from sharp, explosive riffs to the softer plucking in more
calmer moments, with the mood always remaining urgent and angstful. From the
second this album starts, you are taken through a whirlwind of raw emotion
coming at you from all angles, with the intensity constantly building. This
aspect is showcased especially on the track "The Race To Die" that starts of
melancholy enough, yet constantly builds to a brutal ending as Richardson
croons "now cry yourself to sleep upon your king size bed, with silk sheets,
credit buys you everything except love, except life" about those in the
upper-class lifestyle he seemingly loathes. This album basically comes
across as being pissed of about a lot of things, but don't worry, there are
still songs about relationships, thought maybe not in the typical "I lost
her" kind of way. On "Trial and Terror," Richardson harshly admits
"January's cold and February's colder but I can't stand to hold her anymore,
and now that I am older, I wish that I had told her." Richardson's unique,
full and vibrant voice is a bit of a departure from the typical high-pitched
whines we've all grown accustomed to by now, and it helps this album to stand
out even more. His screams, sprinkled throughout the album, are not overused
or overdone, and convey the emotions of the songs in a perfect way. This
disc is truly a post-punk/emo gem. The musicianship from this trio is as
tight as can be, and Vance Gore's throbbing all-over-the-place basslines
compliment Richardson's complex guitars and Eli Deering's thunderous drums
perfectly, and the constant tempo only drive home the point of the songs even
more. The album winds down with hard-rocking "Beneath Ashes and Lies" and
fades into the electronic beat-filled instrumental "Broken Frame," a perfect
ending to a near perfect album. This band has really taken a step up since
their last release, and I'm eager to see what they will do in the future. If
they can top this, we will be in for an even bigger treat. Deep Elm Records
has been releasing some amazing stuff lately, and they are showing no signs
of slowing down.