The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 301

I’m a bit behind on my reviews but I’ve got nothing on this weekend so I’m hoping to have them all up by Sunday. Was hoping to at least have skurts up by now but this week hasn’t been the best, my car broke down yesterday.

 

I’m still up for doing 1 bonus album next week though.

 

I agree on all points. It’s a good first album but they definitely have room to grow.

 

As I said to you before, I think almost all the tracks individually work but listening to them all back to back is exhausting.

 

NEXT WEEK IS AN OFF WEEK TO GET CAUGHT UP. You’ll have the whole week. No new assignments. Do it :)

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Count me in!

 

I don't think I technically said I want in for the bonus round.

But yeah, I want in for the bonus round

 

@Night_Sky you in for the bonus round next week?

 

Oui.

 

hey @BTDandFeelingThis

 

Casey - 'Where I Go When I Am Sleeping' (2018, Hassle Records)

My second recommendation from @Nate_Johnson , the sophomore album by South Wales (UK) based quintet Casey. I've been aware of the band for quite some time (as they came up through the post - 'UK Emo' scene), and I mildly enjoyed their debut album 'Love Is Not Enough' which calls to mind Post Hardcore (or Melodic Hardcore) bands such as early Touche Amore and fellow UK band Departures with the addition of clean vocals.

Going into this album I was under the assumption that it would be a continuation of the sound that they presented on their debut and to some degree it is, for the most part however 'Where I Go When I Am Sleeping' draws from a different range of sounds and inspirations. From the opening track there is more of a noted Post- Rock influence on the these batch of songs: softer instrumental sections, prominent of use dynamics, reverb drenched guitars are all present through the entire run-time. The only song that falters from this description is the second song 'Waving' which feels more in line with the debut.

I know from the promotional interviews around the time that the band announced the album that the lyrical themes of this album deal with Thomas Weaver's experiences and personal struggles, however I haven't really analysed or explored the lyrics in depth. For the most part I enjoyed this album from an instrumental standpoint, the vocals are mainly where my criticisms arise. Weaver handles the majority of the clean and screaming vocal duties, and while the cleans are proficient enough it's the delivery of the screamed vocals that stand out on this album they feel detached from the rest of the music and are just too guttural for this style of music. To the point that it would take me out of almost any give song that they appeared on (The closest comparison I could find is to how I felt was the screamed vocals on The Elijah's sole album 'I Loved. I Hated. I Destroyed. I Created' from 2012). I had to refer back to debut album to see if I felt the same way about the screamed vocals on that and found no such issues.

As for production, it's handled by Brad Wood (mewithoutYou and Touche Amore) and as expected it's very well executed and have little to no complaints aside from the processing on the clean vocals on 'Bruise' which feel a little heavy handed and noticeable. In many ways this is a good representation of second albums in general: a lot of growing pains, some experimentation that works and some that doesn't but overall it's album that shows a band with great potential.

RIYL: The Elijah, Departures, Athletics ('Where To Run...' EP), Devil Sold His Soul ('A Fragile Hope'), Pianos Become The Teeth ('Keep You')

Recommended Songs: 'Making Weight' 'Fluorescent' 'The Funeral'

 

Haha I should fix that list

 

wait do I have a review to be done? The last one I did was for @Larry David

 

I'll write my next review in French just to screw with everyone.

 

Seems you were paired with @nickyeatworld but you guys must have never traded

 

Time to post a couple reviews! First, one (of 3) from @anonimito

Emarosa--131

Emarosa was a band that I was familiar with, but I was not a fan of Johnny Craig for multiple reasons, so when @anonimito recommended this album to me and mentioned that Craig was no longer singing, I was all too happy to give this band another chance. What I found when I hit play was something much different than the post hardcore band I knew Emarosa to be from the past; and being fronted by a much better singer was something that gave this band a breath of fresh air. Gone were the post hardcore influences, and instead came an alternative sound with tinges of Americana rock, and its a sound that works. From the moment you start hearing the opening track 'Hurt', you are hearing something melodic and smooth, and then it erupts into this great sound Emarosa has going on with this album, big and grand alternative rock songs. The chorus on that song alone is enough to have someone singing along with "If you’re hurt, I’m sorry, but that’s what I’ve been through” being this attention grabbing tension backed by these amazingly well utilized instruments.

If the first track isn't the one that seals the deal for you, it will be track 3, 'Sure'. This song is great, with these insanely catchy verses and very interesting musically, but then it builds up into this amazing chorus that is one of my favorites on this album. Its a super indulgent track that will have you singing along with it instantly; the chorus is a complete ear worm and will be stuck in your head instantly. A song grasping at the emotions of pain and loss, the lyrics in this song just work so well with the new vocalist and this style; this is the big pay off for this album that had me wanting more. Luckily I got it with the next track, 'Miracle', which is a bit more aggressive than the previous track, its a much darker and heavier beast than the rest of the songs on this album but it deals with such passion and fierce emotions that you cannot help but adore as the lyrics intertwine with crunching guitars and thumping drums, and that chorus is amazing. If the past two songs taught me anything, its that Emarosa knows how to write a good chorus. Luckily, these are not rare instances; the rest of this album is full of them. The harmonies on this album are great as well, being very well utilized on songs such as 'Cloud 9', which is the most poppy and catchy song on the album, as well as 'Porcelain', a much slower and melodic track than the rest of the album containing some of the biggest emotional moments of the album and seemingly being an epic ballad that needed to be on this album. The album keeps the emotions going through 'Young Lonely', which has these soft verses that are quiet and sound amazing on headphones, before this epic chorus erupts into your ears. There is no screaming in this album, but there are plenty of yelled vocals; and when this song's bridge of "Make me your martyr!" comes on, I can't help but chant along with it before the great chorus seamlessly comes back. 'Blue' is another aggressive sounding track, especially with the fierce biting guitars of that intro and then leading into these soft muffled verses that are utilized well with a cool effect, before again coming up to one of the best choruses on this album, and is just wrought with emotion and reflection on the depression of someone and how it makes you see the ones around you. There is a fitting sound to the closer 'Re' as well, and was a perfect ending to this one. The chorus is EPIC, and its an insanely great way to go out with a bang.

One thing that this album has boosting it is the production; the production on this album is sublime and clear, you can hear everything great; and while the vocals are the focus of this album the production allows the instrumentation to shine through behind the vocals complimenting them as well. If you like bands such as Circa Survive, especially their later work, you will like this album; there were plenty of moments on here that reminded me of that album. This is a very good album, filled with many well executed lyrics and sounds; especially the sounds, these guys know how to interweave the music with the vocals, making the whole stage that is this album work like a charm. I highly recommend this album, as there is not a bad song on here and it works so damn well. I am curious to see where these guys go from here, if we get any more music from them, with this being a 2016 release I would love to see more from them. Stand out tracks are: Hurt, Sure, Miracle, Cloud 9, Porcelain, Young Lonely, Blue, Re.
9.5/10

and now one I traded with @Nate_Johnson

Colour & Shade- Colour & Shade

This album was something of an amazing curveball from left field. A new release from 2018, this Melbourne act was a group I had never heard of before this trade, and what I found was something great. When it comes to this style of music, some people like the heaviness, some like melodic vocals. Well wasn't I thrilled to find something that has BOTH. This album has heavy, crunching roaring guitars, melodic guitar plucks, deep and aggressive unclean vocals that work as backing vocals and on their own, and soaring atmospheric clean lead vocals. Look no further than the first two tracks, 'Hindsight' and one of my favorites on the album 'Composure' for that. These two songs are the ones I would show someone if I wanted to show them what this album was about, and I have a feeling that just like with me, they would want to hear the rest of it as soon as they heard of these two. This is A Day To Remember and Rise Against like in the best way possible; if you like the more melodic side of ADTR and Rise Against, you are going to LOVE this album.

Composure especially, I cannot pledge how much I love this song. Hindsight hooks you in, but Composure locks you in. It starts off with these finely strummed guitars, before erupting into an aggressive as hell yet super melodic and catchy song. Crunching guitars soar behind vocals with emotion setting lyrics about self reflection on trying to carry the weight of the world while finding out who you are, the choruses soar and are accompanied with aggressive screaming vocals that sound great. Its anthemic, its grand, and its immersive; this song will have you hooked instantly. Luckily, 'The Path' is just as epic, and ensures a 1-2-3 punch for the opening of the album. The boys from Melbourne know how to sequence this album, no song feels out of place and everything works well to make a cohesive rock album. This is songwriting done right, and it shows on every song. 'To Revive' is insanely filled with hooks and has this extremely cool background ambiance to the verses, before the chorus erupts into the shredding guitars and that great chorus. 'Dreamers' has one of the most ambient and coolest intros on the album, containing one of the most anecdotal and anthemic structures you could ask for, the chorus is especially great in that regard. 'Guidance' has this aggressive intro that somehow oddly sounds like it would be before the big show off in a surfer movie; but the song contains the most insane and raging verses, and then one of the most melodic and singalong anthems of a chorus. This song literally rips, and is one that will have you fist pumping into the air. There isn't a bad song on this album by a long shot with each song having something to like about it, and each song sounding unique. 'Skeletons', the closer, is one of those songs that just screams to be played in a live setting, with the lights blown up and the dark skies above you erased by the excitement and lights of the stage. A great way to end the album.

This band rips. Instrumentally, vocally, sonically, production wise; the whole nine yards. This album has the grit to be a great push off point for this band to reach new heights, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with in the future. If its anything like this, I am on board. When giving this album to me, Nate said he could see it creeping up into my top 10 AOTY list for this year; and I am happy to say that I knew he was right even on first listen. Its placing very high on there for now, and this is going to be an album I am listening to a lot in the coming future. I am highly recommending this album. Go listen, now. If you even remotely like ADTR, Rise Against, or any of those styles of bands; this one is going to be a major gem for you this year. Stand out tracks are: Hindsight, Composure, Blinded, To Revive, Dreamers, Guidance, Reverie, Skeletons.
10/10

and now one from @Patterns in Traffic ((Who is totally dropping an EP on all streaming services tomorrow and you should be checking it out, do I even need to say why?))

American Hi-Fi - American Hi-Fi

Hey guys, do you like really old Sum41 and alternative rock from the late 90s and early 2000s? Then you probably know about this album already, because it was released in 2001. But if you don't, well then you need to be checking this one out! I had heard of this band before listening to this, but I had never given them a chance; and I am wondering why now. Some of you may consider this a blast from the past, while some of you may want to go look into these guys. As soon as I heard the first track, 'Surround', this era of music was what came to mind instantly. Fun, energetic, and shredding rock music. As I dove into the album, I was taken back to high school and the American Pie movies, in the best way possible.

'Flavor Of The Weak', the second track, sounds familiar to me as if I had heard it before. The song itself is a rhythmic and hooky song about a girl who is completely used and under appreciated by her stoner boyfriend, and while that is not a very deep topic by a long shot, the song works and is one with a chorus that is going to get into your head instantly. That's the thing about this album; it is a damn good example instrumentally of aggressive alternative/pop punk from that era, but the lyrics are on the lighter side, which does not hurt the album at all especially when given the chance to grow and just become a fun time. 'I'm A Fool' is a good example of this, slightly sappy (and having an opening riff I swear sounds like 'I'm In Too Deep' by Sum 41), but it shreds and its a fun time listening to this love song with power chords, rolling drums, and catchy as can be choruses. Crunched guitars with melodic hooks is what this band and this album are about, and its a prime example of a Pop Punk/Power pop/Alternative crash. There are moments that remind you of All American Rejects, such as 'Hi-Fi Killer', which is a pretty dang good song that sits smack dab in the middle of this album. 'My Only Enemy' shows a much more aggressive side, and kind of sticks out in the middle of the track list for this album. Its dark and moody, with static feed from guitars and some damn good shreds during the chorus. Honestly, if I was shown this song separate I would not have believed it was the same band as the other songs, its a pretty aggressive showing both vocally and musically. They have their softer side too, 'Another Perfect Day' is the band's slower song that starts with acoustics fro half the song, sitting 3/4 through the album and its a very good one. Its simplistic in its sound, but this is the point and works; its a good breather and slow down near the end of the album to allow yourself to recoup from all of the fun and energetic tracks prior to it and what was to come. 'Scar' takes it back up a notch with a great rolling drum that leads into one of the more 'punk' sounding guitars, and a bit more restrained vocals than previous entries on the album. The last few songs on this album actually are a bit more restrained in general than the earlier tracks, but its a nice ending to the rollercoaster in a sense, cruising into the end.

This is a really, really fun album. This was a style of music that really spoke of its era; the early 2000s 'American Pie' sound as I called it earlier in this review, but more so alternative pop punk. If you were into that style of music, or still are, and somehow have not heard this album look into it. Its 49 minutes, so it can be a bit of longer listen, but its worth it when you just don't want to have to think or try to interpret deep lyrics or listen to something dark; this is just pure, sunny fun. Bust out your skateboard and give it a listen if you get the chance, its a good ride.
Stand out tracks: Flavor Of The Weak, Safer On The Outside, I'm A Fool, Hi-Fi Killer, My Only Enemy, Scar, Wall of Sound

8/10

 

Awesome review! I'm stoked you enjoyed it so much! They're planning to have an album out next year - I think a single is going to be out later this year. You picked most of my favorites, aside from "Helpless" - I can't get enough of those guitars!

 

1. I was recommended that Emarosa album a few months ago and I was really impressed. Like you I had never checked them out due to the Craig connection but I really enjoy that album.

2. I posted about that Colour & Shade album a week or so ago in this thread, was a great surprise for me too. You hit the nail on the head with the blend of pop and hard rock.

3. Nice American Hi-Fi review! Crazy that I've been listening to that album for 17 years haha. Safer on the Outside and My Only Enemy are so damn good. My favorites match up pretty closely with yours. I'm surprised you weren't already super familiar with Flavor of the Weak, that was a pretty huge mainstream hit in 2001.

4. Thanks for the shoutout about my EP I'm not 100% sure it'll be on all streaming services tomorrow but I'll be putting it on Bandcamp at midnight. I got confirmation from @Dumblecore that it was on Spotify in his neck of the woods after midnight so I'm pretty confident it will be there.

 

Update: EP is live on Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play Music, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Amazon, and probably a bunch of other places where no one will ever see it.

 

Everybody, do yourself a favor and give the EP a listen. It’s delicious!

 

Your new avatar seems upset with me

 

I’m not upset YOU’RE UPSET

 

Had a listen to this earlier today and thought it was good mate, the vocals reminded me a little of Ben Folds in places. I particularly loved Up and Down on it.

 

My band 20Storiesfalling has a 3 hour drive to make today for a show we're playing and this is gonna be what we listen to on the drive!

 

Thank you so much for listening! I've heard the Folds comparisons before, that's a great compliment. Appreciate the feedback.