Top 5 Albums - November 2017

5. Phinehas, Dark Flag

Phinehas are a band that has been around a while, since 2001 in fact, but haven't broken out until recently. They didn't release any official music until 2009, with their first EP, and their breakout finally came in 2015 in the form of Till the End. On that album, the group solidified their place in the metalcore scene with heavy, frantic riffs and fast-paced drums, helped along by the versatility and sheer talent of vocalist Sean McCulloch. So how does their next effort, Dark Flag, measure up? Well, I'll say it right now. Dark Flag isn't quite as good as the band's previous efforts, mostly due to what I see as a glaring misstep in the production of the album. The guitars are placed well behind the vocals and drums, giving the music an empty feel compared to the heaviness we expect from a seasoned metalcore group. However, looking past this one flaw, Dark Flag is another great outing from Phinehas. The vocals are better than ever, as McCulloch experiments with new screaming techniques and styles. The guitars, if you turn up the volume, sound great as always. Overall, a great effort marred by a singular setback.

Rating: B-

Recommended Tracks: "Hell Below", "Dark Flag", "Communion for Ravens"

4. Like Moths to Flames, Dark Divine

Everything has changed for Like Moths to Flames with their fourth release, Dark Divine. Their previous three albums were pretty standard metalcore albums, with few deviations from a standard, tried-and-true formula. While this worked at first, by album three it became rather stale. Fortunately, the band have seemingly realized this, and changed things up in a big way for their newest record. And it's their best album yet. Now let's not get carried away, Like Moths to Flames are still not reinventing the wheel, and there's nothing groundbreaking on this record, but there's a variety in both style and atmosphere that hasn't been felt before on an album from the band. "Mischief Managed" is classic heavy LMTF, while "Nowhere Left to Sink" opens up a melodic trail that the band have not yet explored till now. 

Rating: B-

Recommended Tracks: "Mischief Managed", "False Idol", "Nowhere Left to Sink" 

3. Walk the Moon, What if Nothing

Walk the Moon broke out in a big way with 2015's smash summer hit "Shut Up and Dance", which climbed its way to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 10. That was nothing short of a life changing achievement for a band this size. So how did they follow up such a massive increase in exposure and expectation? Immediately start their huge worldwide arena tour on the back of their big hit? Make appearances on every late night talk show known to man to spread their huge single as far as they possibly could? Well, yes and no. There were bigger tours, and plenty of TV appearances (topped off by a performance at the New Year's Rockin' Eve show/party, to be fair). But after a few months in the spotlight, the band retreated to the studio to work tirelessly on their follow up album. One would expect an album full of "Shut Up and Dance's" to capitalize on their breakout song's popularity (see Maroon 5 post-"Moves Like Jagger"). But no. Walk the Moon have instead changed their sound drastically, going for a poppy yet experimental sound with tons of variety. There's some synths, some guitar, and tons of good feels. And at the end of the day, the pop-rockers have produced their best album to date, even if it might not be remembered as such.

Rating: B-

Recommended Tracks: "One Foot", "Headphones", "Sound of Awakening"

2. Bjork, Utopia

Over time, it seems like Icelandic art pop singer/songwriter Bjork's album covers have gotten weirder and weirder. From simple pictures of the singer in a sweater to more and more intricate outfits, masks, wigs, etc, it seems like with every new release the avant-garde icon pushes herself to become even more... well... avant-garde. And Utopia is no different. But enough about the artwork, let's get to the music. Utopia is exactly what one would expect from Bjork, in that it's completely unexpected and unpredictable. Between the schizophrenic, glitchy production and clashing, atmospheric vocalizations, Utopia definitely sounds like a Bjork album, but as always, there's something new brought to the table. This time, it's some real drama. There's songs about divorces ("Sue Me", "Tabula Rasa") love ("Blissing Me") and loss ("Losss"), and lyrical Bjork is at her best yet. In the end, it's another great effort as always from the Icelandic songstress.

Rating: B

Recommended Tracks: "The Gate", "Blissing Me", "Tabula Rasa"\

 

1. Polaris, The Mortal Coil

There must be something in the water down under. Alongside metalcore giants such as Parkway Drive and Northlane, and smaller yet just as brilliant groups like In Hearts Wake and The Amity Affliction, Australia just keeps pumping out new, quality bands into the scene. Polaris are at the head of this new generation of metalcore stalwarts from the southern hemisphere. They take plenty of influence from their compatriots, as well as UK-juggernauts Architects, on their debut record The Mortal Coil. And long story short, they meet, and sometimes even surpass, the standard's set by their predecessors. Singles "Lucid" and "The Remedy" set the tone for the album. Bouncy and heavy, with fantastic riffs from guitarists Ryan Siew and Rick Schneider, topped off by wonderful heavy vocals from screamer Jamie Hails. Some will mourn the loss of his brutal low growls, but Hails sounds more honest on this record than ever before, and Polaris are all the better for it. 

Rating: B

Recommended Tracks: "Lucid", "The Remedy", "The Slow Decay"

Album Review: Polaris - The Mortal Coil

From day one, Polaris have been one of the bands to watch in the metalcore scene. Their debut EP, Dichotomy, was chock full of interesting, fun riffs alongside an exciting atmosphere. This sound was only improved upon in their sophomore EP, The Guilt and the Grief, which led to an explosion of their popularity in their home country of Australia. After gaining the recognition and approval of their Australian counterparts Northlane and In Hearts Wake, among others, it was clear that Polaris were on the fast track to success.
On their debut full-length album, The Mortal Coil, Polaris have given us everything that made their previous EPs so great and more. The riffs on this record are off the charts; they're seriously some of the best metalcore have seen in a while. Guitarists Ryan Siew and Rick Schneider are quickly becoming one of the top guitar duos in the entire genre. The pair are able to create riffs that are both heavy and bouncy in songs such as "The Remedy" and "Lucid", and completely switch gears to a more melodic sound in "In Somnus Veritas" without skipping a beat.
Vocals are nothing short of great as well. Screamer Jamie Hails portrays emotion brilliantly throughout the record. The loss of his low range and growls is a bit unfortunate, as the music loses some of its straight-up brutal heaviness in the process, but his midrange is better than ever. Clean singer Jake Steinhauser is serviceable, providing catchy melodies without doing anything too special, as usual.
Overall, The Mortal Coil reeks of confidence and potential, and is everything we could've asked for from Polaris' debut. Stay tuned for this group's next record, they're on their way towards great things.
Rating: B
Recommended Tracks: "Lucid", "The Remedy", "The Slow Decay"

Album Review: Walk the Moon - What If Nothing

This record has been a long time coming for Walk the Moon. After the Cincinnati pop-rock quartet hit it big in the summer of 2015 with the the classic summer anthem "Shut Up and Dance", the world patiently awaited their follow up. And finally, nearly three years after the release of their sophomore record Talking is Hard, it has arrived in the form of What Is Nothing. And as it turns out, even after taking the longest time to craft new music that they have so far in their young career, Walk the Moon are still in touch with everything that made their first two records great, and have added even more spice along the way.
While What Is Nothing is quite easily the band's poppiest album to date, it's also their most experimental, oddly enough. There's some great variation to be found in the thirteen tracks present here, from radio ready "One Foot" to the six-minute masterpiece "Sound of Awakening". The instrumentals, while not carrying the guitar-led indie flair of their previous sound, are tighter and crisper than ever. Old fans need not fear either, Walk the Moon's sound still carries with it a significant indie atmosphere. This record feels like four guys making music for the fun of making music. No gimmicks or acting. Just pure, unadulterated creativity and joy.
That's not to say there aren't a few missteps. Tracks like "Kamikaze", "All Night", and "Feels Good to Be High" all come and go without establishing much of an identity, leaving the listener to wonder if the album would be even stronger with these weaker spots eliminated. Despite these small flaws, What If Nothing is certainly an enjoyable listen for anyone looking for a pick-me-up, optimistic album to remind them that life isn't all that bad after all.

Rating: B-
Recommended Tracks: "One Foot", "Headphones", "Sound of Awakening"

Top 5 Albums - October 2017

5. My Ticket Home, unReal

It's not uncommon for bands to change their sound throughout their career, one only needs to look in the direction of juggernauts such as Linkin Park and Thirty Seconds to Mars for prime examples. Columbus rockers My Ticket Home are just the latest of a big crowd to undergo a drastic shift in style from their previous album to their latest. However, this one is unique. Instead of embracing the newer pop/electronic sounds that many bands tend to do, My Ticket Home have transitioned from heavy metalcore chock-full of harsh vocals to a grungy, nu-metal outfit reminiscent of 90s stalwarts such as Nirvana and Deftones. And, long story short, it's a success. The guitars are crunchy and pleasing, the vocals are suitably raspy, and there's a general laid back feel to the music while it still manages to retain it's edge.

Rating: B

Recommended Tracks: "Hyperreal", "Redline", "Flypaper" 

4. We Came As Romans, Cold Like War

We Came As Romans last album was a tedious, unsatisfying affair, as the band attempted to broaden their sound and reach a more mainstream audience, losing touch with what made them great in the first place. This time around, the band has realized their mistakes and then some, and on Cold Like War, one of the biggest bands in modern metalcore is firing on all cylinders once again. The vocals are better than ever, by a long long way. Singer (and now DJ/keyboardist) Kyle Pavone has shed all of the highly noticeable effects and correction that marred previous efforts, and his co-vocalist Dave Stephens is back to his heavy, breakneck singing/screaming combo (but mostly screaming). On the instrumental side, the band has reached the peak of their songwriting to date. Everything feels new and fresh, especially after the mishap that was Cold Like War's self-titled predecessor. 

Rating: B

Recommended Tracks: "Cold Like War", "Lost in the Moment", "Vultures with Clipped Wings"

3. Thousand Below, The Love You Let Too Close

A band's debut album is often something that -- while an example of that band at their most raw and sincere -- is also wrought with immaturity and underdeveloped songwriting. So for a band to knock it out of the park on their debut effort is not only surprising, but also extremely satisfying. Thousand Below are one of the newest bands signed by Rise Records, home of greats such as Dance Gavin Dance and Memphis May Fire, and their debut album lives up to the lofty heights set by their label mates. While the album doesn't stray too far from what one would expect of a classic Rise metalcore band, the true strength lies in the lyrics and vocal performance from James DeBerg. The album details his struggles with anxiety and depression, and the weight of such topics comes through with a poignant, emotional performance. 

Rating: B

Recommended Tracks: "Sleepless", "Vein", "The Love You Let Too Close"

2. August Burns Red, Phantom Anthem

Everyone knows what to expect from August Burns Red at this point. Smooth and sexy yet also heavy and blasting riffs from guitar genius JB Brubaker, wonderfully nasty vocals from Jake Luhrs, breakneck drumming from Matt Greiner, and maybe a breakdown or two for good measure. And that's not to discount the contributions of rhythm guitarist Brett Rambler and bassist Dustin Davidson, which are plenty. The metalcore veterans' seventh full-length album provides all of this in spades. While it may not be their best album as a whole (that title still belongs to their previous effort, Found in Far Away Places), Phantom Anthem certainly contains some of the group's best songs to date in "The Frost" and "Dangerous", the latter of which ending with what is probably their most brutal, menacing breakdown yet. Bottom line, it's an August Burns Red album, which can only mean good things for our ears.

Rating: B+

Recommended Tracks: "The Frost", "Dangerous", "Lifeline"

1. I The Mighty, Where The Minds Wants to Go/Where You Let it Go

I've probably already gushed about this album enough on this blog (you can check out my full review of the record here) but I'm gonna do it just once more, at least until its Albums of the Year time. This is the best record that has come out in 2017. It's a beautiful portrayal of whatever shit is going on in the head of Brent Walsh, who it turns out is quite the relatable fellow. Sure, the band has abandoned some of the riff-centric, heavier sound of their previous albums, but when Walsh's vocals (and Dance Gavin Dance singer Tilian's, on lead single "Silver Tonges") are this good, the choruses this catchy, the guitar and bass this smooth and satisfying... who cares? There's really nothing else to say, except that you absolutely must listen to this album. And then listen to it again, and again... and again.

Rating: A+

Recommended Tracks: Every single one. ("Where The Mind Wants to Go", "Silver Tonges", "111 Winchester", "Symphony of Skin")