Reviews

A Cheap Print of a Masterpiece

Giving Chase

Released: Aug 14, 2007
Label: Jump Start Records
Reviewed by:
2 comments

Strong, unbiased, unflinching opinions are my favorite kind. I'll admit having a bit of a cynical sense of humor, bad reviews happen to be my favorite kind, but if I can turn someone on to some good tunes, it's just as gratifying. That is the precise reason why reviewing Giving Chase's new full length album, A Cheap Print of a Masterpiece, was absolutely no fun to write.

I found myself conflicted as the opening track, "Noise Without Signal," kicked in. The vocals were definitely a bit much, all cluster-fucked together, it sounded like they were competing for attention. This took quite some time to get used to, but the mix of punk, post hardcore, and an old school mosh part to bring it together kept me intrigued.

Throughout the album I found myself without words to describe it more than once. Giving Chase walks a dangerous line, one between driving hardcore punk and cluttered Jersey screamo (they reside in Philly) that was a risk they thought was worth taking. I'll give credit where it's due, though - when they hit the mark, everything gets all fucked up in the best possible way.

The prime example is their unquestionably best track, "While Nero Played." It starts off with wailing guitar with brutal vocals chiming in, "We're all sitting ducks." Heavy callbacks between vocalists continue the energy that builds through the entire song. Examples like these can be attributed equally to each member of the band as the heavy guitars do nothing but complement the hectic vocals. And I'm relieved to say that the percussion for this album went through smooth transitions and were anything but forced. So what could possibly be the downside of the album? There's something to say for the melodic singing that accompanied this organized chaos outside of saying, "It was too typical and melodic."

The smooth singing vocals seemed out of place for a reason outside of the typical "marketable sellout" angle that most screamo falls into. It almost seemed hollow and forced in, as if someone was just in the studio singing whenever they saw fit when the producer wasn't looking. I'm not sure if this was enough to ruin the album for me, but its placement usually seemed inappropriate to say the least.

Giving Chase walks a line that most not dare tread upon. Whether or not it paid off in this effort may be an entirely different story. The chaotic vocals were unique, but hit or miss nonetheless. Their songs were either energy rousing or annoying. Hearing some two-step build ups was refreshing, hearing some melodic singing over them was exhausting...but I don't think these guys completely missed the mark. I'll give A Cheap Print of a Masterpiece three stars and probably keep on the lookout for an upcoming live show. Hopefully they'll keep striving for perfection in the future.