Review Summary: Leaves the listener begging for more.
The Word Alive!
One of the newer bands to step into the hardcore scene, the word alive release a fantastic EP. With Craig Mabbitt being previous singer (ex-Blessthefall, Escape the Fate), Tyler "Telle Smith" had very large shoes to fill. However, Telle couldn't have done it any other way.
1. Battle Royale: 4/5
This song really shows off Telle's vocal power. He screams fantastically (along with help from Zack Hansen and Tony Pizzuti), and although he doesn't have a large range for singing, he mastered that range four times over. This song has amazing breakdowns, drum work, bass riffs, and guitar solos. The keys in the breakdown really show that this band can use keys and not be rediculously generic. One of the heaviest and best songs from the album.
2. Quit While You're Ahead: 4.5/5
From the first guitar note to the ending, this song is unstoppable. The early vocal work meshes very well with the guitar riffs. The lyrics: We Fear what We can't understand", is a very thoughtful and true look upon society. The snare work before the breakdown (after first chorus) is just a small little tidbit that shows the talent of this band. By far one of the best vocal songs on the EP
3. Casanova Rodeo: 5/5
Ah, Casanova Rodeo, one of the highlights of the record. The screams in the beginning mesh so well together (having three screams at once). The song flows perfectly from the very start, with screeching guitar riffs, to astounding clean vocals, and to amazing low screaming. One of the highlights of this song is the multiple singer usage. There are three vocalists, all of which perform the entire song. This song is a very big improvement from the first Casanova Rodeo (Craig Mabbitt). The best vocal work on the record, and reccomended to anyone who is new to this band.
4. The Only Rule is that There are No Rules: 3.7/5
Hm. This song sounds fairly generic. Not bad, not bad at all, but very generic. Little clean vocal usage (which can put off A LOT of listeners), and nice fillers between vocals. Not too much to say about this song, except that it sounds generic, yet still a good song.
5. Inviting Eyes: 3.5/5
The worst song off the EP. Oh, no it is not bad, but not catchy, not impressive, and a let down especially from all the other songs (excluding track 4). Can't You see it, can't you feel it? Your weakness lasts forever. Very good lyrical skills in this song, and very intense keyboard riffs. Also, a fairly short song. Of course this song should be downloaded, same with all the others, but it would be the last for me to download.
6. How To Build an Empire: 10/5
Best.Song.Of.The.EP. This song is best because it incorporates amazing acts from every band mate. The starting guitar is very intense and feels like it leads up to something amazing, which it does. With the keys and clean vocals, the beginning is very "edge of your seat" like. Then comes the screaming. The screaming finally satisfies the listeners, taking them on a journey through amazing instrumentals and lyrical work. The chorus is very good, with overlapping vocals, it can sound 'generic' but no. Not at all. This chorus blends together the amazing vocal work of Telle, along with the next two verses. The guitar solo kicks in, and then comes the vocal work, underneath the solo. This song is just unstoppable.
This EP is unstoppable, leaving the listener begging for more. Telle, Pizzuti, and Hansen fill in the shoes of Mabbitt perfectly, never leaving the listener saying, "WTF?!". Aguilera and Urlacher both do amazing jobs holding the song together and adding the extra touch of heaviness. Dusty (keys) leaves the listener with a feeling of listening to a non-generic, yet amazing, post-hardcore band. Never once did this EP fail to amaze me.
