Review Summary: The broken down landscape is still a reasonable place to take comfort.
2 of 2 thought this review was well written
Post-hardcore is a genre with just as much miss as hit. Bands that can be completely innovative can be challenged by others that simply incorporate screams. Fortunately, Rookie Town is one of the later. Through strained screams, pained cleans and melodic guitar lines, the songs found on this record create a sense of longing, through portrayals of sadness, longing and sadness. As if emblazoned on the chest of this band, the passion is clearly felt with each song be it the dual vocals on tracks like I Bet All The Bats Are Hiding In The North And In The East or the building group vocals found on (sink) and the spoken word lines behind them.
There is no fooling around on this album, it is straight to the point. There are no flamboyant solos, no extended breakdowns, no overt grabs for attention by any members of the band, rather one large piece of puzzle that fits greatly into the scheme of things. The musical work is well balanced, the percussion balancing out the guitars, the bass playing a genuine part in the music, building the intensity at just the right times.
The vocals are the focus of this album, painting images of a home among the trees, a place to get lost or to wander aimlessly for hours in. Metaphor aside, the vocal style being used ranges from an post-hardcore scream, stressed cleans and a particularly enthusiastic backing vocalist. The theme of the lyrics relates to a general place, as mentioned previously, but uses this to create a unique flavour, mentioning the stasis of an empty forest, the fresh air washing over in an almost healing sensation.
Like any beginning record, this has its flaws. The guitars, repetitive at times, the bass not as defined as it could potentially be, the vocals wearing near the end of the record. Even these imperfections contribute to the overall feel of the record. Not quite perfect and it knows it, the acknowledgement that it isn't, nor will it ever be the perfect record.
Look hard enough behind any landscape and you'll find something of value, be it a scenic photograph, a small, unnoticed gemstone or a place to reflect on life. This album could be likened to a landscape, painting a place to sit and avoid the troubles of the world, if just for a short period.
Formatting issues with italics in the intro. A few just typos?
"Like any beginning record, this has its floors" what
Also, I'm just not 100% sure you sold a 4.5 but it might have been your restraint from hyperbole.
Those were the main issues. It's a pretty good review but not sure what kind of feedback you're looking for
pos
through portrayals of sadness, longing and sadness.
Did you mean to repeat here for effect; If so, consider removing the second instance and finish up the sentence, It more or less destroys whatever flow the introduction of your review built.
with each song be it the dual vocals
with each song,* be it...
There is no fooling around on this album, it is straight to the point. There are no flamboyant solos, no extended breakdowns, no overt grabs for attention by any members of the band, rather one large piece of puzzle that fits greatly into the scheme of things. The musical work is well balanced, the percussion balancing out the guitars, the bass playing a genuine part in the music, building the intensity at just the right times.
Let's break this up. Try a full-stop by 'band'. Capitalising 'Rather'. Your wording is off, not in the way that the ideas are bad, more in the way that you don't lead into your ideas.... For example; "Rather, it's one large piece of a puzzle that fits perfectly into the grand scheme of things."
What I advise, is find a place to yourself, and read the whole thing back to yourself. Think: Does that sound right? How's my spacing? For commas, full-stops etc. One breath between sections usually means comma, while a bigger pause, full-stop.
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More on next post.
The vocals are the focus of this album, painting images of a home among the trees, a place to get lost or to wander aimlessly for hours in.
Scrap "in". Also, wording again - it's up to you but, I'd go with " The vocals come to the fore-front of the record. They paint a vibrant image of a home amongst the trees, a place for those absorbed in the imagery to wander aimlessly for hours."
The theme of the lyrics relates to a general place, as mentioned previously, but uses this to create a unique flavour, mentioning the stasis of an empty forest, the fresh air washing over in an almost healing sensation
As mentioned before, read this back to yourself, Does it flow or make sense? Is flavour used in the right context? (It's not). This goes for the last two paragraphs, read aloud, edit, read aloud edit.
"Fixed those errors, will attempt an extension of the hyperbole tomorrow, to see if that makes it flow or justify better."
I didn't mean to imply you need to hyperbolize or anything. It seems to be the norm for a 4.5+ review on this site, but I don't think it's inherently right to review this way. If you think you didn't sell your 4.5 then go for it though.
