Review Summary: Latin For Truth falls below cookie cutter status
One of the biggest tragedies in music is when and artist has potential but is held back by one thing; just one thing that separates them from being great instead of just mediocre. This is the case for Alabama based band Latin For Truth who released their newest EP, entitled
Diatribe Or Die! On December 21st, 2010.
This band plays a brand of Punk and Hardcore, or so says their Myspace. On this release though, it seems to lean very heavily on a Pop-Punk or even Post-Hardcore style. Utilizing melodic guitars, double kick drumming, and clean vocals, along with some yells, the band tries to make this formula work. The reason I use the word try, is because despite the band’s best efforts, this release falls on it’s face. Although Diatribe or Die does have some catchy musical moments, such as the drumming on "No Love Lawst", or the guitar solo in "Mexicaine De Perforation", the music tends to play it very safe and not go out on a limb to make something memorable. The drumming is easily the highlight of this EP, and in retrospect, that does not say a whole lot.
It would be easy to write off Latin For Truth as just another cookie cutter Pop-Punk band, but alas, they cannot even live up to that standard. The overwhelming cause of failure on this release is the vocals. When the first song, "Mexicaine De Perforation" rolled around, I figured I was listening to a poor Pop-Punk band because of the mix of yells, clean vocals and gang vocals, but for some reason the only tracks that feature yells are the first and last ones. These are the best tracks on the records, as although the yells are poor, they provide a nice sense of variety. For some inexplicable reason, the band chooses to leave the other four tracks on
Diatribe Or Die! Free of yelling vocals, aside from some gang vocals near the end of "Natural Tailor of Natural Joy". This would be fine if the clean vocals were anything to write home about; instead, they’re the type of thing you tell kids to not try at home. Monotone, uninspired, and generally underwhelming to listen to, these subpar clean vocals really nullify any chance this release had of being good. It’s a sad thing when I gather a better feeling from listening to Ke$ha’s vocals. It’s a good thing this EP is only six songs, because I had enough of a struggle making it through those.
Latin For Truth is a young band, and it shows. There is potential on the musical side, at least as much potential as Pop-Punk can produce, but until they figure out their vocal woes, they will never make their mark.
Diatribe or Die! Is not anything I’d recommend, but may fill the niche for Pop-Punk fans, so check it out if you must.
