Review Summary: A final attempt to make a name for themselves.
Woe, Is Me's story is nothing worth getting into, and at the time I'm writing this review they have decided to call it quits. A month before however, they released one final effort to fix the atrocity they made called "Genesi[s]", entitled "American Dream" with a new drummer, they actually progressed slightly, but still used nearly all of the flaws that held themselves a spot in mediocrity within the "scene".
The EP opens up with lead single "Stand Up" and this is easily the only highlight of the 5 song release. The opening breakdown however, immediately sounds like something we've heard many times before. Following this below average breakdown, we have a faster paced guitar riff, something that is entirely new to this current line up. The lyrics are much more positive in a way going from in your face lyrics to slightly more positive encouraging lyrics. We find ourselves in the chorus, which is something Woe has never really slouched on. Hance sounds much more natural this time around, and brings about the usual catchy pop styled chorus. The song repeats this cycle, however Doriano does return to his sloppy teen-angst lyrics many times before the final chorus.
The EP follows this cycle up until the acoustic tracks, where Hance delivers the only vocal presentation, with awkward lyrics about some sort of break-up. The vocals are catchy enough to lure some people in, however it seems as if they followed too much of A Day To Remember's past works and attempted to emulate to reach the same result. Unfortunately, Woe, Is Me can not deliver to the result they had hoped.
A few things however, deserve praise within this short EP. One thing, is former At The Skylines drummer David Angle. He adds power to the band, and can deliver much more diverse and stronger rhythms then former drummer Austin Thorton could. "Stand Up" is an example of this, where the fast paced guitar playing is equally matched by a faster drum beat which leads the song into it's chorus. The vocals have also improved since Genesi[s], especially Doriano who now feels much more at home then he did in previous efforts.
The lyrics however, have not been polished very efficiently, while some of the lyrics are much more upbeat then hateful, the immature writing style finds itself appearing once again, especially in "American Dream". In "Restless Nights" the lyrics sound awkward at times such as "Why do I feel like this, I shouldn't be feeling like this" however other parts sound much more mature then previous efforts.
All together, this is a slight improvement over "Genesi[s]" however it wasn't enough to make a mark before they had finally decided to call it quits. One thing this band should however get, despite the immaturity is some respect for trying to carry on what Carter and Bohn created. For most people Number[s] is the only thing worth remembering, however American Dream shows a young band finally finding themselves.
