As It Is
The Great Depression

2.0
poor

Review

by chris. USER (51 Reviews)
August 10th, 2018 | 55 replies

Release Date: 2018 | Tracklist

Review Summary: I’m the poet and the problem.

I wasn’t on board with As It Is’ image and style change from the very start, simply because I didn’t believe they had it in them to pull it off convincingly. I mean, for sure you have to commend the band for having the ambition to try and pull off a concept album about dealing with mental health and depression etc etc. However, As It Is don’t really fit into the role that they’re trying to play. The ‘My Chemical Romance circa 2006’ aesthetic they’ve cultivated is cheesy as all hell and the way the band talked about the album came across as trying much too hard to be edgy. Going from a bright and poppy look to dark and edgy in just a year is too sudden a change to ignore. It makes the whole thing feel not genuine.

This feeling continues to be reflected by the music itself as well. Not only did they lift the 2006 Hot Topic look, they bring a pop-punk/emo sound reminiscent of bands in that era as well. The closest comparison is once again a My Chemical Romance one; envision an album similar to The Black Parade, just not as well written or performed. The instrumentation holds its own well enough, but does not do enough to excite or be more than just be a backing track to the vocals. Which is a damn shame, as the vocals miss many more times than they hit. Patty’s voice does not suit the dark and edgy vibe and his attempts at screaming come across more like a child shrieking to their parents during a tantrum. The lyrics are too shallow and too cheesy to ever hope to redeem the rest of the album. Sure, they fit within the concept, but lines like “Jet black hearts and abandoned souls” are just too laughable to be taken seriously.

Once again, I have to give the band props for trying to create a concept album promoting mental health. It’s a serious issue, and the more we talk about it the more good can be done. However, just focusing on the album, it’s a rather poor project. As It Is are very obviously trying to be something they’re not, to the detriment of the music.

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As It Is The Great Depression

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As It Is
The Great Depression