Review Summary: Quiet World shows obvious signs of progression
On their Equal Vision debut Quiet World, the NJ based Post-hardcore/melodic-hardcore 5-piece Gatherers successfully avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. With their previous releases, an EP back in 2012 and an LP in 2013, the band fit in comfortably with what is known as "the wave," (Defeater, La Dispute, Touché Amoré) and didn’t do much to distinguish themselves from their peers. After a vocalist change, a new direction, and a tighter sound, Gatherers deliver with one of the stronger summer releases.
One of the main changes in the band’s sound on Quiet World is a shift towards a more melody driven, atmospheric tone. The guitars no longer rely on dissonance and distortion to bring intensity, but instead carry a bright, vibrant quality. This shift in sound in no way equates to a loss of heaviness, but instead allows the songs to build, giving way to some truly beautiful moments. The change seems partly due to new frontman Rich Weinberger. Weinberger incorporates a wide range, from desperate yelps and cries, to softly sung lines and tonal screams reminiscent of early Title Fight. His focus is catharsis, and even when his voice does falter, it echoes the emotions put on display. His ability to switch between gritty screams and fragile singing in seconds keeps things interesting, as you can feel the emotion put into each word. This emotional fervor fits the songs perfectly, and opens the band up to opportunity for more experimentation. A key example of this is the infinitely catchy end to the song Ritual Flowers.
Another strong point on the album is an emphasis on tighter songwriting. Quiet World clocks in at roughly 30 minutes with its 11 songs, most of the songs averaging at about 2 and a half minutes. While to some the short song lengths may seem a turn off, what Gatherers does in the songs more than make up for it. Take opener God Deluxe for example. The song starts off with a gritty bassline and feedback, before transitioning into a driving verse and an equally strong chorus. Around a minute and 20 seconds in, the song fades into a short ambient bridge before exploding into climax, and ending just as suddenly as it began. The ability to add multiple dynamics in such a short time illustrate their skill in crafting tightly structured arrangements. No part goes on longer than it needs to and each section stands out that much more in context. With this being said, a few songs would have done better by expounding on some of the strong ideas present.
One of the main drawbacks to Quiet World is that some of the songs start to bleed together. The songs fade into each other, coming across as one long piece of music at times. This in itself isn’t a bad thing, but some listeners may find themselves looking down and realizing that 3 songs have just passed. Another minor complaint is that after the album ended, I found myself wishing for more material. While in show business it’s almost never a bad thing to leave the audience wanting more, I can’t help but wish there were more songs on the album. Overall, Quiet World is a great listen, and shows obvious progression.
Standout tracks: God Deluxe, Crows, and Ritual Flowers
