Let me just start by saying wow. These kids have improved so much in their sound from where they started, and to be honest, they started pretty amazing. So I'll start with a little history lesson. A Cursive Memory started back as a harder, more metal sounding band almost. And they excelled at it. The songs Deal The Cards and Dance Until Dawn are two songs I know that are floating around out there, and it really shows their talent. The original version of The Piano Song is really what got me hooked on these kids, and I'm glad to see that song has grown with their new sound, because it is an amazing song. One thing I couldn't get past was the age of them though. I believe the oldest kid in the band as of me writing this is 16, and I can honestly say I haven't seen such a tightly knit band anywhere close to their age. Everything about them just works so perfect. The vocals are the most impressive for such young kids, but lets get on to the review for that.
The opening song is my favorite, The Piano Song. This song is put together so well. The piano is prominent when it needs to be and is never overwhelming, same with the guitars and the drums. It just works so perfect. The vocal harmonies and multiple vocalists is something you will get used to with ACM. Not only do they have one talented singer, but three. There is a nice little guitar solo in this song that I can't let go unmentioned. Great, great song. The second song of the EP is Club Revolution Remix. This song is the most techno/synthesized song on the album. I like how the harmonic 'ahhhs' come in to start the song. One thing I really like about this song is it lyrically shows the change in the band. They really have grown into something unique and this song shows that. The next song is Mr. White. The piano is more present in this song again, and once again, just done very well. And I really like the lyrics on this one, they're not your whiny heartbreak lyrics that you're used to. Take It For The Family is the next track, and I think this one shows off the vocal talent in this band. The harmonies and everything about it, are just flawless. And what can I say, I like the ba ba ba ba dop's in it, they're pretty catchy. Last and definately not least is Lights, Camera, Action which is the title song of the EP. It's the facest paced of the all the songs on the album, and it's just really fun and makes you want to get up and dance. I like the nursery rhyme lyrics in it too, they're well placed and given just enough spin to fit with the song. Lyrically, this song is closer to the older stuff with lyrics like 'And she screams like a bullet, going through a forest of trees. And she begs for forgiveness when it went straight through her bottom teeth.' Very well written and very well put together, just like all of the songs on this EP.
So this is where I recap the cd and bring out its strengths. Well it's strengths are pretty much everything. The drumming is extremely powerful and amazingly talented. The guitars trash when they need to, solo when they need to, harmonize when they need to, everything is just great with them. I love the piano and the synth too, its done so well. The vocals and lyrics just pull it all together and make this, in my opinion, the single best debut EP ever released. The future holds out alot of promise for these kids and I would not be surprised to see them blow up very soon. I recommend them to pretty much anyone. They have the fun, dancey aspect of Hellogoodbye mixed with the technical instrumental work of any metal band out there, but the vocals smooth it all out and make it an amazing listening experiance. Trust me when I say these kids are going to big.
