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Full Review | User Ratings (229) |
| Summary: 25 minutes of aggression, emotion, and power... |
2 of 2 thought this review was well written
Vaya EP
Eloquence is sometimes found in brevity. This is true in many of the shining moments of life; be that hitting the game-winning homerun, finally beating Halo 3 on legendary difficulty, or the release of a certain fluid after a certain activity involving little to no clothing. This idea, and the colloquialism (my favorite word…sorry) short-but-sweet come to mind when encountering the Vaya EP by At the Drive-In.
Just a year after the release of In/Casino/Out and one before the release of their masterpiece Relationship of Command, this was released, and it can be seen as both the bridge that lead At the Drive-In to the pinnacle of the post-hardcore world, and as a filler-free 23 minute piece of brilliance that does everything one expects from At the Drive-In.
From the very beginning of “Rascuache,” ATDI reveal that they have evolved. The song, combining Omar’s patented noodling with blasting chords and unique rhythms, displays a new maturity. Each song on this album has a power all its own and demonstrates all the elements that made the band what it was. Cedric’s heavily symbolic and cryptic lyrics are delivered with such passion that the listener is left with the feeling that he believes whole-heartedly in the words, Quick to the throat in this ink cartridge funeral/ Marble caps lock /Zip code affiliate/ You got a run on your pharmaceuticals/You better change it before the night grows old in “Metronome Arthritis,” lyrics which later give way to one of the most powerful pay-offs in any At the Drive-In song period…leaving the listener feeling the same desperation as the framed man on the run.
Musically, this album is magnificent. Omar and Jim’s guitars set the atmosphere in most of the tracks and draw the listener in, whether being played quietly or slapping the listener in the face. Both styles are demonstrated in "198d" in which the guitars go from aggression to peace and back while creating an atmosphere of breathtaking beauty. Jim’s keys also play a very significant role on the album, usually as a backdrop but always playing an important role in the sound of each song. Hinojos’s bass manages to be catchy and take its moments to shine while even in moments of simplicity such as in “300 MHz.” His work with this song just “fits” and is the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae (extra chocolate syrup of course). Hajjar’s drum-play manages to always compliment what the guitars are doing. In tracks such as “Ursa Minor,” his play is solid, catchy, and almost-danceable. Each element of the band plays together in a way that plays to each members strengths, and always is interesting.
Like the sexy girl with a nose that is just a little too big, this EP has a couple negatives that keep it from being perfect. The production leaves something to be desired. It’s not terrible, but it is off just enough to take some getting used to. The only other negative for some will be its length. It leaves the listener aching for more but in doing that, it is doing what an EP should. Both of these negatives, however, add up to little more than tiny pimples on the cheek of the prom queen. Sure they take away from the beauty a bit, but let’s not kid ourselves, we’d still relish in getting her in the sack and enjoy every moment of it.
So what all the testosterone-filled metaphors are getting at is that the Vaya EP is one that does what an EP really should. It is an album of experimenting with some new approaches by At the Drive-In and combining those with their rawness from earlier releases that combined, would eventually give way to the release of their magnum opus. It is a bridge album that demonstrates an extreme evolution from their previous releases while still being a fantastic piece of music in its own right. It is a brief blast of aggression and beauty that reveals the eloquence of a band ready to truly leave their mark.
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Album Rating: 4.5
EP is sweet, review is good. I actually like this better than Relationship of Command most days. Not to say that Relationship is bad, because I enjoy it quite a bit also. But this album is really where it's at.
Digging: Wreak Havoc! - Wreak Havoc! E.P. | | |
Well fukk me, you actually like a really great band. And managed to write a good review. I pos'ed. Reluctantly lol.
This Message Edited On 04.28.08
Digging: Forever the Sickest Kids - Television On, Party Off
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Yeah I find myself choosing this over Relationship because its brief and has my favorite ATDI song (Metronome Arthritis). Relationship wins though, it's just i haven't listened to this 60+ times so it's fresher.
Digging: PSY/OPSogist - Souls Touch EP | | | Album Rating: 4
This album is definitely good, I find that it could work as an album with more songs on it.
Digging: 65daysofstatic - One Time for All Time | | | Album Rating: 3
I think people say this is a progression more than it really is. A lot of this could have been on In/Casino/Out really, and faaaar more fits there than on RoC.
Good EP though.
Digging: Mesa Verde - The Old Road | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Yeah, Metronome Arthritis is pretty radd, I like 198d profusely too.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
I'm surprised you feel that way Iluvatar...this is the first ATDI album where i actually feel the same band could progress to become The Mars Volta.
Even with In/Casino/Out it doesn't feel like they are experimenting that much, or that willing to go that much farther than they had...with this and RoC, i feel a lot more progression and uniqueness.
| | | Album Rating: 3
I don't think this sounds much like RoC at all, and there was as much experimentation on I/C/O, albeit mostly towards the second half.
I find 198d to be pretty overrated. Heliotrope however is really awesome.
| | | Album Rating: 4
I find the entire EP to be quite incredible with the exception of 300Mhz that song is pretty lackluster. Good review although I do agree with Iluvatar that I/C/O has as much experimentation as this.
This Message Edited On 04.28.08
Digging: Cynic - Traced In Air | | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
300MHz is such a groovey track. It's one of those songs i find myself doing a little jig to everytime i listn to it. The verse guitar play is awesomeness. To each his own though and what not.
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Not as good as In/Casino/Out or RoC, but I love everything this band put out. Good review.
Digging: Every Time I Die - Hot Damn!
| | | Album Rating: 4
This is a very strong EP...one of my favorite EPs
but i also own less than 20 :3
Digging: Sigur Ros - me su eyrum vi spilum endalaust | | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
That's still a lot of EPs...i have like 5. This is an EP that I don't think has a weak moment and i see it to be only a hair weaker than I/C/O becuase of Hourglass.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Hourglass is a really boring song and that's why I think this EP is a hair stronger than ICO, or any album by this band.
But I've already reviewed it so just click on that to read my thoughts.
Digging: June of 44 - Anahata | | | Album Rating: 5
I love this little badboy, pure awesomeness in under half an hour!
Digging: Weezer - The Red Album Deluxe | | |
Masterpiece review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
^^^I swear to God this is not an alt account of mine...thanks for the compliment fine sir...
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