I may be a fan of Engine Down, but with their last album, Engine Down, we see them moving to an even more generic, radio-friendly "post-hardcore" sound. Although their albums tended to get closer to this sound, their previous two, Demure and To Bury Within the Sound still managed to entertain with their melancholic, simple sound.
Although I hate to use the phrase "radio-friendly" to describe the sound, it's really the most evident progression in Engine Down's sound with this album. I also hate to make it seem as if their signing to a more well-known label for this label made them "sell out" or some crap like that. I'll admit that the production is better, but to be honest, the previous style was something that I personally enjoyed quite a bit.
Engine Down still shows off their wonderful sense of melody and mood, and don't get me wrong; their two albums before this weren't exactly challenging. However, at least the two gave Engine Down some identity in the modern "post-hardcore" scene.
