Review Summary: Greeley Estates truly comes "back to life" in their newest release.
Originally when I'd first heard Greeley Estates during their "No Rain, No Rainbow" album, and some earlier work, they were a band who to me had a couple good songs, but nothing really stood out. I continued to leave "No Rain, No Rainbow" on my IPod and occasionally giving the same couple songs some listens. I'd heard they were releasing a new album and decided to give it a try.
Greeley Estates had not always been a big band, only putting on headlining shows with lesser known bands and not getting much attention. They began to fall from peoples ears, and the band knew it was time for a change. They wished to garner people's attention like they had when their album "Go West Young Man, Let Evil Go East" had dropped in 2008. People began to think Greeley Estates was seemingly 'dead'. They decided to name the album as such, to show people they were back, and better than ever, or so they would think.
The quality of the entire album is different than anything they've ever put out, and almost sounds like you're standing at the end of a hallway listening to the band. The band went for this feel to induce a 'creepy' vibe to the album, which I think is plainly dull, and doesn't give the album the 'whole' sound it deserves. It also is a relatively long album at 15 songs.
The album starts with the eerie track "Straitjacket," which sounds like your textbook Post-Hardcore song. This is complete with breakdown, and screamed vocals. The album keeps a very generic approach, but most importantly showcases vocalist Ryan Zimmerman's clean vocals, which are hit or miss depending on the listener. The Next tracks on the album, "Last Dance", "Friendly Neighborhood Visit, "Bodies", and "The Medic" are all great tracks. "Last Dance" being your average heavy, but good track. "Friendly Neighborhood Visit" has fast timing, and one of the better lyrical concepts of the album, the rhythm the bass adds to this track I was also a fan of. "Bodies" is a softer song vocal wise, but maintains a heavy feel to it with fast drumming, and elaborate fills. "The Medic" is filled with fast paced breakdown, and fast drumming, but has some of the best examples of clean vocals on the album.
"A Thousand Burning Forests" is one of my least favorite tracks on the albums. It gives the facade of a very soft song, the vocals seemingly just don't fit with the song. "Leave the Light On", "Circle the Wagons", and "The Reaction", are all tracks on the album I feel are just lacking in all areas. They just seem like filler in the album, except for the creative guitar composition in "The Reaction".
"Tonight" comes as one of the more eerier sounding tracks on the album, giving a great feel with just an over all good vocal performance, and instrumentals. "The Postman" opens with a creative breakdown, and is a track, although I feel one of the worst lyrical performances on the album. "Mouth to Mouth" doesn't catch my attention, and is overly generic sounding. finally through the Interlude we reach a highlight of the album, "December". The instrumental feel of this track is amazing, complete with slow paced guitar. Gives you almost the feeling of snow falling, intertwining with the lyrics to give a cold and lonely feel. A great way to end the album.
Overall the album in my opinion is the best put out by Greeley Estates. And the quality of the album may come off as weird, and a handful of songs are boring to listen to and not worth much time. Greeley Estates as redeemed themselves, with a solid new release.
