We Came As Romans - Tracing Back Roots

We Came As Romans - Tracing Back Roots

Release date: July 2013
Genre: Melodic Metalcore / Post Hardcore
Label: Equal Vision (North America), Nuclear Blast (Europe), We Are Unified (Australia)

After listening to this album for half a year I think I am finally ready to review it. This band is an American metalcore band and they sport the unfavorable quality of having clean vocals. Even though that doesn't get you far in the world of core, it is worth remembering that music evolves and leaves us with post-[insert genre]. To all the haters of clean vocals in core.. Remember that this could be a gateway drug to those who don't listen to core and might lead them to increase the strength in the core scene.

Not wasting any time, this album starts with its title track: "Tracing back roots". Not my favorite track on the album but still a decent core track. This is the track that might separate the fans of core and those who want to get into it. 66% of this song gives you the feeling that it is a rather softcore song. Two thirds through you get the post-core feeling. The beat feels core, but clean vocals and keyboards hit you in the face, but in a way you might ask for more.

"Fade away" is number two. Again, it has great guitars which gives you the feeling of a core band. This song is more post-core than the one before. If you had hopes of this album getting harder after the first song, you might want to find something else to listen to. This track is the one you want playing in a club full of drunk core-fans. Having a soft spot for these soft-post-core bands, this is one of the songs that made me have to finish the album. This one keeps your head banging and your lips mouthing the words (if you know them) right after the intro and through the entire song.

"I Survive" is a personal favorite. From the unorthodox start of the song, it makes you question how it will progress. Being a keyboard nerd it is also great to hear the keyboard playing a big part and giving additional feel to the song. This is one of the songs that are not allowed to come up on my Ipod while on the bus because I will start singing along and playing the drums on the back of the head of the person in front of me (sorry to the blonde chick I freaked out the other day). This is a perfect follow up to "Fade away" and is also another track you could play in the company of drunk metal fans and they will dance. The lyrics are interesting and well placed among the music.

Favorite part from the song: "I will keep my head and heart above the waves. My hands are tied but I will make it. I'm not shaken. Even when my mind's exhausted. I survive".

"Ghosts" is next up. Has more core feeling to it than the two songs before it. It has more in common with the title track than the "I survive" and "Fade away". This song has more growling but is heavily keyboard influenced as it plays dreamy keys. Around the 2 minute marker it takes a different turn and makes you understand the dreamy keys that were introduced to you in the beginning. HOWEVER! Just after 2:40 it takes you back to the core that starts about 20 seconds later. This song song is really good, but it doesn't always fit the mood. Being on both ends of the scale, it might take a certain patience to appreciate the song.

If you like NOFX; this song will have some whoa's for you.

"Present, Future, and Past" is next. A song that will kick you in the face after listening to the previous songs. This will make you want to kick things and make strange faces while singing along. It took me awhile to accept this song, but as soon as I did so it was one of the game changers on this album. This is one of the more cory-core songs on the album. However, it will make a turn around the 2 minute mark that will take a different turn. According to the recipe on this album, that mark would be a sign of relaxing and going to "post" from "core". This is not the case. This song takes turns, but you end up where you wanted to. You can listen to this song on repeat and it does not feel weird in any way.

Next up is "Never Let Me Go". Another song based on the soft/post-core genre. It is probably one of the most "pop" songs on the album. Don't get me wrong... This isn't a bad thing. Remember how we want more people to join the metal scene? This is one of those songs you might turn someone to the dark side. A very well written song with some keyboard chapters that fit very well in the background. This is most likely the song that could make it to the radio if some station would hire drunken DJ's. Yes there is an official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1nHmQBjfEM (If you can tell me what location they are doing this video in you have 100 rock points coming your way).

"Hope" is next. Heavy keyboard beginning might give you the wrong idea. When they sing "I can run, I can change all the answers" it makes us want to be more drunk than we usually are. A great song that could use some work on. However, they stick with it. This makes it work in the long run. Another song for NOFX fans with some whoa's on it. Not the best song on the album, but still greater than many things that get recognized on the mainstream media.

"Tell Me Now" is a key-core song. Good track but falls in line with what has been before. This is still one of the songs that could be played in the club full of metal fans. The "breakdown" just after the 1:30 mark is a decent one but doesn't give you a fulfilling feeling. This song is a downfall on the album and should maybe have been the first track on a B-side album.

After the next moment comes "A Moment". THE post-core song on this album. Heavily dependent on keyboard on guitar effects. Not saying it is a bad thing! It has great moments and the lesser great moments are still... a great moment. If you do not like clean vocals, do not listen to this album.. Actually, if you don't like clean vocals on a core album I don't think you would have made it this far... So your secret (or not so secret) is safe with us. This is also a song you could play in a club full of core fans in a party mood. Let it rip!!

"I Am Free" fits like a glove after the previous track. Post-corey madness gives you a feeling of partying. If you haven't felt like extreme-dancing in your room before this track, you should now (please don't do it in public. It isn't cool. We promise). 

Favorite part: "I keep my mind. Always open ended".  

Final track: "Through the Darkest Dark and Brightest Bright". Starts by core-ing you in the cornhole. But is also heavily keyboard dependent and a lot of clean vocals. Not the greatest song to end the album, but it is a "song to remember". This one has some overwhelming prog-rock feeling to it in some chapters and makes you think this was the last song to be recorded and the keyboard player thought: "I haven't been shining enough". Feels like there is a song that should follow this one and it kind of leaves you hanging. 

Summary: Some bands that play core music of this altitude give you the feeling that they are kidding. We Came As Romans do not do that. They might look like pretty boys that belong in the club, but they will probably kick your ass if you start any s**t with them. Adding keyboards and harmonies to post-core is a great way to get more people to join the metal scene. The album is mastered in a pop-kind of way but it fits more than any other way. John Feldman produced the album and probably got things from it we wouldn't have heard without him. Feldman has an ear for this kind of music ("The Used", "Atreyu", "Panic at the Disco"..) and it didn't fail him this time. This song is very well produced. If you like acoustic versions of metal songs I recommend you "youtube" them.

Listen if you like: Eskimo Callboy, Of Mice & Men, A Day To Remember, Asking Alexandria and Attack Attack!

Keaton Henson - Birthdays review

Keaton Henson - Birthdays

Release date: 25 February 2013
Genre: Folk rock, alternative rock
Label: Oak Ten Records

I wasn't going to write a review for this album yet but I just couldn't keep away from it, I fell completely in love with it. Keaton Henson is an English musician, visual artist and poet from London and was born in 1988. He also formed Oak Ten Records. This guy is shy and suffers from huge stage fright so he rarely does any shows. Most of his shows take place in tiny venues, galleries or museums. This is his second album and it blew my mind! I have to thank Spotify to bringing this guy to my attention because I have never heard anything about him before I started surfing around in there.

I was going to give you like this play by play over the songs of this album but I just can't, all the songs are great the lyrics are really good and it feels like Keaton is speaking to you not just singing. His voice is always like he's braking down it's so beautiful you just want to find him and give him a hug. This album is mostly just guitar but there is a few songs with a full band and they are also damn near perfect! If I would have to choose my favorite songs it would be 10am Gare du Nord, Beekeeper, Sweetheart What have you done to us and You.

I have fallen in love with bands and musicians 3 times in my life first was Radiohead, than it was Bon Iver and now Keaton Henson has a place with them in my soul. And yes in my opinion he is that good.

If you have 1 hour to spend, I recommend finding this album on Spotify or just buy it, put on good headphones and just lie down and listen. I have done that a couple of times now and I always get lost in the music.

I'm not even sure if it's fair to give this album a star rating but as this is a review I will have to and if you haven't guessed it I will give it a full house and it's the first album that I have felt deserver that since I heard Kid A with Radiohead.

Listen if you like: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Mumford & sons, folk music and music with good lyrics.

Author: Daði Freyr.

Radical Face - The Family Tree: The Branches

Radical Face - The Family Tree: The Branches

Release date: October/November 2013
Genre: Folk / Alternative Rock.
Label: Bear Machine Records

When browsing random YouTube videos you can end up in one of two places: The weird place or exactly where you should be. On a random search I ended up in the latter category and I was presented with Radical Face. This band is the offspring of one Mr. Benjamin Cooper, is the maker of this band and its label "Bear Machine Records". This album is the seventh release of Radical Face, with the first being released in 2003. If you haven't heard from this Florida based band, you should check out this wicked album!

The first song is an intro called "Gray Skies". I am a fan of a well written intro that leads easily into the next song. This one has some interesting vocals that reminds you of "Mykonos" by Fleet Foxes (Not complaining, I am a big fan). After listening to the transition to the next song I had a hard time deciding whether it should just have been the start of the next song or an intro. But after listening to it 5 times (yes, I counted) I realized that it was the perfect lead to the second song.

That song is called "Holy Branches". Like stated in the comments made about the previous song, it connects very beautifully to the intro. The piano and acoustic guitar takes your hand and lead you into the rest of the song. You will not be disappointed. The lyrics are about not finding yourself when growing up and how life was different as a young person. This one is a bit bitter but is portrayed in a happy way.
Favorite quote: "'Cause Earth won't give damn if you are lost."
Official video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTwk0TsB5jM

Next up is "The Mute". It starts with an acoustic guitar and some Bon Iver-ish oohs. The song picks up and gets the foot stomping to the beat of the song. The song never really reaches its peak but keeps you in a relaxed mood throughout. The song is about a child that feels misunderstood and like a burden to its parents so he decides to run away. The lyrics are very well written and are the reason this is one of the songs that stands out. Ben writes in a way that makes it really easy to imagine the setting.
Favorite quote: "And I spent my evenings pulling stars out of the sky, and I'd arrange them on the lawn where I would lie."

"Reminders" is up next. It can go either way in the beginning. But, thankfully, Ben decides to take it the right way. Soon after the halfway mark it gets turned up a notch only to end in the same way it started. Not really my favorite song on this album but it isn't bad. This song is about someone that feels like a let down in life. The lyrics and how they fit with the instruments are the strong side of this song.

Next up is a number called "Summer Skeletons". A very interesting name and the break in the beginning gets me every time. The beginning makes you excited about what is coming up. And you will not be disappointed! This song is about reminiscing about childhood relationship. The piano gives the impression of childhood playfulness and the percussion is simple yet effective. The lyrics in this one are also great and the vocal line sets the mood for what he is saying.

"The Crooked Kind" is up! This one is my favorite on this album. According to Ben this song is about a kid that is embarrassed for his family being strange. He says that he went through a phase like that, as being a part of a mixed-race family and wishing being more normal. This song is more playful than the lyrics would suggest and is almost upbeat (kind of). This one is better experienced by yourself than explained.

Short one: "Chains" is barely two and a half minutes. The thing is; it doesn't need more time to reel you in. It leaves you wanting more as you don't believe it was over so quickly. It mixes a beat with A-oohm in the beginning. The lyrics describe a good friendship that is now over because they grew apart. Following my favorite song it doesn't surrender to the giant before it. It catches you and keeps you until the end (the end that came to soon ("is what she said")).

Who doesn't like "Letters From Home"? This song is about a man who gets shot during some war. He is in a pretty bad condition and the lyrics are his "letters to home". While he speaks of all the things he will miss with his family back home, he has made peace with his choices in life. This song brings me down every time I listen to it (but in a good way). The instrumental works towards the end give you an insight into the mind of the narrator and gives you a picture of the soldier's state of mind. Definitely a song I keep coming back to.

This is followed by a very fitting title: "From the Mouth of an Injured Head". Starts more upbeat than the songs before it. The lyrics aren't happy though, but fits with the mood of the rest of the album. This song is about, as the title so elegantly describes, the thought of a person who got a head injury. The narrator is suffering from memory loss. The interesting mix of sad lyrics and upbeat music makes this one of my top 3 tracks on this album. The lyrics are quite simple but they are spot on with the music.

Next up is "Southern Snow", something we get a glimpse of every once in awhile in Reykjavík (even though it soon turns to rain). Not many words in this one but they set the mood. This one is about a day when the narrator has a child on the same day as his sisters disappears into the woods. This will leave your stoner head in a mush. Powerful song and really great.

"The Gilded Hand" is next. The behemoth of this album, it is over 6 minutes long. I didn't quite like it when I first heard it but this is a number that grows on you. It is a bit artsy (just the way I like it) and all it wants to do is take you on a blissful musical ride, only asking your permission. This song has an almost psychedelic feel to it, in a folksy/indie way. According to Ben on one of their performances, this song is about how the future children of America need to be protected from the past of child labor and the horrors kids had to go through. Great number that gets better every time I listen to it.

The last track is called "We All Go the Same". It starts with a monkish humming only to be taken over by Ben and his accordion (or keyboards). A beautiful song about the status of people as they die. It doesn't matter what people do throughout the course of their lives, we all end up dying. It gives hope for the one that has little and puts fear to the people that have a lot to lose. A brilliant ending to a great album.

Overall: This album has a "whole" feel to it. This is the works of an artist that planned how the songs would hang together, instead of being a showoff showcase. The lyrics are very well written and never leaves you thinking; this was written by an angry sixteen year old (not dissing young lyricist, but you know what I mean). I don't understand why I don't see the name "Radical Face" in bold on a festival poster. This act would be very fitting on any folk-rock / indie festival. Maybe we just aren't ready for a face this radical. Maybe Benjamin Cooper has some more pressing issues to tend to. Or maybe he needs our help to reach international status! Whatever the reason is, we want to see and hear more from you. You can check out the webpage: http://www.radicalface.com/ and see what Ben is up to or check out this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RadicalFace

Listen if you like: Fleet Foxes, The Lumineers, Iron & Wine, Death Cab For Cutie.

Author: Hlynur M.

The Divided Circle - These Regrets review

The Divided Circle - These Regrets (EP)

Release date: Feb, 2014
Genre: Electronic, Post Rock, Downtempo
Label: Lonely City Records

This duo from Britain started as an online project in 2010. Krystian Taylor and Jon Rees then relocated back to their hometown, Bristol, in 2012. There they were joined by two more members for live shows: Liz Dobson and Tor Elcock (A superhero name if we ever saw one).

This album starts with the song "The Bright Lights" and what a great way to start the album. The first half of this song is very relaxed and sets the mood for the vocals. When the vocals kick in, around the halfway mark, they enchant and demand attention. Jon Reed lends his voice to the song and does so wonderfully. It is hard trying to get anything done while listening to him in my headphones. Simply bewitching. The guitar mixes beautifully with the electronic vibe. The selection of instruments and sounds are just perfect and borders on minimalism. Easily my favorite track on this album.

The next one is the title track "These Regrets". The drums kick in very early with an electro disco feel. You don't have to wait as long for the vocals in this one as the first track. It is Krystian Taylor's turn to light up the front of the stage. Notably different than Reed's voice, but not less of a talent, he sets a different atmosphere. Rather simple lyrics but they get you mouthing the words after having heard it once or twice.

"Monster" is the title of the third track. This one is more down tempo than the title track. Guitar mixes beautifully with the rest of the instruments in this one again. This song is just over 3 minutes and that is just too short. At the end you wish for a minute more. The lyrics in this one don't paint a picture in your head by themselves but do so with the assistance of the instruments. Good track but too short.

Next up is "Transience". Just over 4 minutes of enjoyment. Instruments and vocals create a nice pool of water where you want to bathe and not think about anything. The lyrics are rather sad but supported happily by the rest of the song. That being said, this song doesn't leave much behind when you get to the next song.

And that song is "All At Sea" and is the final track on this album. It starts by grabbing your attention and holds it for the remainder of the song. This track is almost 5 minutes long and the vocal kicks in soon after the minute mark. If  you listen to this in a black 1982 Pontiac Trans Am you might feel like Knight Rider. Luckily, the chances of you being David Hassellhoff are only 1 against 7 billion (Sorry Mr. Hasselhoff if you are reading this. You rock). The computerized voice fits well with the rest of the song and the beat is simple and enjoyable. As the song fades out in the end you are left with the disappointment that you just listened to the last song on the album.

Overall: When listening to this album I had to remember that the vocals are not really in the foreground. The vocals are only used as an instrument to add to the overall atmosphere of the album. The lyrics are simple but anything but naive. It is well produced but might not be an album you come to again too quickly after you forget it. It is also, regrettably, only an EP. The songs were also on the shorter side. That makes them more radio friendly, even though I will probably never hear this on the radio, sadly. They leave you wanting more songs and more material to listen to. If you have the chance to add this record to your collection I recommend you do so.  I will be looking forward to their next release.

Here is their FB page if you want to hear from The Divided Circle yourself: https://www.facebook.com/tdcircle

Listen if you like: The Daft Punk score from Tron, White Lies
Author: Hlynur M.

Deerhunter - Monomania

Deerhunter - Monomania

Release date: May, 2013

Genre: Indie rock, noise rock, ambient, neo-psychedelia, garage rock.

When I was looking around on the internet and reading about the best albums of the year as you often do in December I came across one list that had the name Deerhunter on it. I have to admit I had never heard about them before but when I heard this record I kinda fell in love!

First song is called "Neon Junkyard" and it sets the pace for the album with great slowish guitar riffs and with great vocals. 

"Leather Jacket II" is the next song and it has a garage feel to it with alot going on at the same time and has alot more effects on the vocals but still holding on to the raw feeling that this song has.

"The Missing" is a ballad, slow but with a great beat and guitars and I can't resist nodding along and sing along. This is my second favorite song on the album. It's just great!

The next song is "Pensacola" and it sounds like a happy country song. Really upbeat drums and guitars but still it has this depressing feeling to it that I can't quite shake off me. Still a good song but not one of the best.

"Dream Captain" starts in your face and is the same throughout the whole song, but it works! This is a funny little song and the lyrics are great! 

Next song is called "Blue Agent" and I have to say the overall sound of it is so catchy that it just grabs you and pulls you into the song! If you want to start off with an easy going song and ease into the album and band I recomend this song.

"T.H.M"  I'm just not quite sure how to describe and I'm not sure if I like it. But still I don't hate it, it's just one of those songs that you just listen to and it kinda goes in one ear and out the other. 

"Sleepwalking" is a song that has a slow groove to it but still has this dance feeling but you also want to lie down and cuddle a blanket. It's funny how music can touch you :)

"Back in the Middle"  is the shortest song on the album but it's catchy and has a good feeling about it. It really reminds me of something that I can't quite figure out but I think that is good thing, please tell me if you get the same feeling and if you know what it is!

"Monomania" is the title track and unlike most other title tracks this is the longest song and the most expirimental. It's raw and horny and my favorite song of the album! It's great from start and when you get to the end and hear the engine sound I couldn't think of anything that was better to end it with!

Next song is a slow one and kinda in the spirit of Radiohead when they are playing acoustic it's called "Nitebike" and it's great not much else to say!

They finish of the album with a song called "Punk (La Vie Antérieure)" it's one of those songs that isn't bad but isn't that great either. But still a good song to end the album on, it locks it up and throws away the key! 

This album all in all is great to listen to, you might need to listen to it a few times but it's worth it. I'm not saying it's a masterpiece but is one of my favorite albums of the year 2013. I was thinking about giving it four stars but I think with a couple of songs that aren't that great three and a half is quite fair.

Listen if you like: Editors, Animal Collective, Weekend, Indie-music.

Author: Daði Freyr.

Half Moon Run - Dark Eyes review.

Release date: March, 2012
Genre: Indie-Rock, Indie-Folk/Pop.

Being a big fan of the TV series Elementary I was bewitched when I heard a clip from their song "Unofferable" during one of the scenes. The detective in me rushed to Google and within seconds I learned the identity of this great Canadian band.

The first track is one of my favorites on this album and is called "Full Circle". When the vocals enter the song they swept me of my feet. The lyrics are about religion and some kind of addiction without being childish. The perfect amount of vocal harmonizing mesmerizes and creates the mood along with well fitting instrumental parts.

Second track on this album, "Call me in the afternoon", starts more upbeat than the first song. Even though the song itself is more upbeat the lyrics are on the sadder side. The percussion in this one made me nod my head more often than I realized. This one is filled with more vocal harmonizing without overdoing it. Being next after one of my favorite songs on this album, I can't give it a full score.

"No More Losing the War" is next. More melancholy than the second track, it takes away any light from your soul, if you had any. But does so in a good way (if you know what I mean). It speaks of a regrettable encounter with a woman called Karen. The singer makes you sympathize while wailing her name with the help of emotional guitar parts.

Fourth song, "She Wants to Know", is one that stood out for me because of the vocal parts in the beginning (You will know what I mean). Another song with the perfect usage of vocal harmonizing and interesting instrumental parts. At this point it feels like the band has put the songs in that order so you get an upbeat song and then a downbeat one.

Following that recipe: "Need It" is the fifth song and a sad one. This one is about a failing relationship where the storyteller wants something more than the other person is ready to commit to. The organ in this one creates the scene along with the laid back drums and the charming bass. The simple, yet fitting, guitar solo complements the style of the song and fits perfectly. Can't think of a way to improve this song in any way.

"Give Up" is next and starts with an upbeat drumbeat but only to fool you. This song is about, like the title suggests, surrendering to something and not seeing reality the way it really is. Far from being one of the shortest song on this album but it is over before you realize it. The instruments complement each other but the lyrics don't tell the entire story and you crave more of it.

The next song, "Judgement", makes me pull out the air bass every time and dance like a crab on a hot stove while mouthing the words (imagine that if you will). However...

It is followed by "Unofferable", the song I fell in love with while watching the TV series Elementary. The play count is in the dozens and I still get goose bumps when it plays. After watching the live videos and seeing how they do the song justice it makes me want to order a ticket to Canada and hold someone hostage to get them to play me this. This is easily the best song on this album (if you have the international version of the cd). There is nothing more to be said!

"Drug You" will do just that. Again, the usage of interesting vocals and lovely lyrics makes this song a perfect follow up to "Unofferable". Even though following a personal favorite I never find it in me to skip this one. The falsetto is very fitting and adds to the fitting atmosphere. The lyrics are very simple but it still gives a fulfilling image of the setting. This song is followed by another great number called:

"Nerve". Apparently there is someone that has a lot of nerve and had this song written about them. It is hard to follow two great numbers as the ones ahead of this one and even though it is good it never gets your undivided attention. Do not get me wrong, even though this is the low point of the album it is still miles higher than many other bands reach in their lifetime. The lyrics and vocal usage are fun and interesting. This song is different from the others in some ways and has a Degraw feel to it from time to time.

After that it is recommended that you take the "Fire Escape" and run to the church. Pads and the harmonica have rarely been united in a song as well as in this one. More of the great vocal harmonizing and the melancholy, along with being the shortest track on the album, leaves you craving more. I find myself singing along with this one even when on a crowded bus (if you live in Reykjavík and witness this; say hello). The lyrics resemble a simple poem more than a full fledged song but it is spot on.

The final track is called "21 Gun Salute". More electronic than the others. After listening to the album a couple of times through I skipped this song the most. However! This is truly the underdog that comes around and wins your heart in the end of the movie.

Overall: This album doesn't have have the feel to it that it is one unit. It is rather a showcase of different things that these great musicians are capable of and it leaves you with water in your ears/mouth for the next album. It was difficult to decide between four and a half or to just skip the half and have it an even number. After giving it a hard thought I decided to take a look at the play count again and decided the half should be there as well.

Listen if you like: Radiohead, Fleet Foxes, Arcade Fire, The Lumineers, Jeff Buckley, Indie-Music.
Author: Hlynur M.