Album Rating: 4.0

I hear the Anberlin resemblance; "Heaven and Hell" is very much constructed in the same vein as (*fin). But I actually hear as much Dark is the Way... influence as I do Cities. Also, oddly enough, the lead singer most notably during the chorus of "Glass Houses" sounded similar to Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace. I also hear a lot more obvious emo influence on this album (the middle acoustic section of "City of Orphans" sounds something like The Spill Canvas would have made back in their emo days) than Anberlin.



With that all said, this is definitely an excellent album, more consistent than Cities but not quite reaching its individual grandeur. I'm hoping this album can grow into a solid 4.5, although how well-polished the album is doesn't make me confident it's a grower.

Yeah gave the rec'd songs a few solid listens, felt good, but it'll have to grow for sure.


But Cities was like that as well.

I definitely understand what you're putting down Davey. I just don't get the same feeling listening to the two. Can't so much put into words why though

Album Rating: 3.0

davey why haven't you reviewed Cities yet?

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Nash, I agree with the comments of both Peartnoy & toxin, who have said it very well... & all in all, I probably agree with everything they state.



The dark tone tone that Peartnoy speaks of is definitely there... It may not sink in immediately, but it's there.



toxin, I 100% agree re: Dark Is The Way... but that just wouldn't have worked in the summary for more than 1 reason. LOL. I don't know the other 2 bands well enough to comment on those comparisons. And I understand what you mean about the polish, but I think there are other factors that are more likely to make this a grower.



I's agree with that Winsomniac. While '*Fin' & a couple of others left me speechless on 1st listen, the LP definitely didn't as a whole.



Staff review new releases Freak.

Good band.

Album Rating: 3.0

...Saving it for a milestone review then?

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Better than "good". Haha.



I'm a fair way away from a milestone right now, Freak. Sorry. Would you take a 4.5 review of 'New Surrender' instead? :-)

Album Rating: 3.0

I'm going down as the guy who didn't like New Surrender, aren't I?....moderately okay with this.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Well, if I'm "That Emery dude", then you're "the guy who didn't like New Surrender". Hahaha.

Album Rating: 4.5

Well then, this is officially the best faux-Christian alt rock of the past few years for me. Heaven and Hell, like others have mentioned, is very *fin-ish (Finnish lol) and that is a very good thing.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Oh no, someone finally mentioned the "C" word. Haha. I've never really felt that their lyrics classified them as such tbh, but people love their labels. I'm glad you threw the word "faux" in there.

Album Rating: 4.5

There certainly is a sort of subclass of these faux-Christian alt rock bands. These guys, Anberlin, Switchfoot, Dead Poetic, etc. They're usually much, much better than most of their non-faux Christian contemporaries.

Album Rating: 4.0

"toxin, I 100% agree re: Dark Is The Way... but that just wouldn't have worked in the summary for more than 1 reason. LOL. I don't know the other 2 bands well enough to comment on those comparisons. And I understand what you mean about the polish, but I think there are other factors that are more likely to make this a grower."



Ah, well the lead singer of Three Days Grace has a very unique voice---probably the best aspect of the band. And The Spill Canvas is very stereotypical acoustic emo, stuff you've probably heard a billion times by better bands (kind of like Unwinding Cable Car but with a freer song structure and a greater emphasis on building to a cathartic climax, and definitely not as good)



And yeah, I understand your decision to solely mention Cities. Besides, that increases the hype train more than DitW. And your confidence makes me hopeful that this can turn out to grow to a 4.5



Also, I totally agree with these faux-Christian bands being better than their outright stated counterparts. I wonder why.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

"non-faux Christian" That's a different way of throwing in a double-negative... I think.



Thanks for the info toxin. I've heard some 3DG obviously, but mostly the earlier stuff. As for your last (rhetorical) question, I think I know the answer... Because they can swear! Am I right or am I right?

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

They could have worked in a Robin Hood metaphor & gone with "I'm not Friar Tuck'in around".

Album Rating: 3.0

This is great, might bump to a 4.5 sometime.

Album Rating: 4.0

"Because they can swear! Am I right or am I right?"



Hah. I've actually never heard any of those bands swear. I prefer it that way; too many times cursing feels out of place (like James Blunt's 'Your Beautiful' anyone?).

Cursings ok in the right context, but it seems that some bands just throw out f bombs every other line to sound cool, which becomes very annoying

Album Rating: 4.0

Agreed. It's also a matter of a lot of bands putting an unnatural emphasis on the word (a lot of people do this while talking, too) instead of singing the word like it's just any other word.