Review Summary: Like a rat I took the bait.
You know how Tyler Carter tries hard to make this RnB/Pop/Post-Hardcore hybrid and usually ends up sounding more like a poor attempt at djenty Ed Sheeran? Well Outline in Color take what Tyler tries, but the main difference is they have a talent for hooks and breakdowns that old mate Tyler, does not.
Stepping into the self-titled release you are met with some pleasant clean vocals from returning original member Jonathan Grimes. His vocals stand out with some outstanding hooks and melodies throughout. Cleans are not limited to Jonathan, unclean vocalist Trevor lays down some nice
huskier parts that compliment Jonathan’s more polished sound. Trevor’s uncleans are not as varied as one would like, but he does have a desperation in some of his screams that really hits home. On ‘Broken Record’ he pulls out some nice lows but usually stays in his middle register and is more a counterpoint to Jonathan’s melodies.
The switch between pop melodies to
brutal breakdowns hit me right in the sweet spot. Opener ‘Not Enough’ will let you know if you are here to stay. They rely heavily on the pop side of things and usually that makes me a bit annoyed but when it’s done well, I EAT IT UP. I could have used more interesting guitar parts, they fall back on the typical ‘0-0-0’ basically in every song, which should take away from the album, but it really doesn’t. If I want riffs I wouldn’t be checking out this kind of band. I want good songs, memorable melodies and lyrics that get me feeling things.
I get all the feels here. I’m a sucker for bands that go down the path of ‘Honesty Is The Best Policy’. I don’t always need metaphors and stories weaved with beautiful words. As much as I enjoy that, sometimes I just want to be hit in the face with it and the lads here leave nothing to the imagination. Weather its Trevor looking at himself and picking apart his flaws or its’ Jonathan reminiscing about lost love, it works. I felt the opening lines to ‘Not Enough’ when I first heard it because GOD DAMN IT
women amiright?
I have chased this flame
And been burned a thousand times
(Left with smoke in my lungs)
And I can't change my ways
No matter how I try
I'm not enough
Piano track ‘Absence of Control’ showcases Jonathan’s vocals perfectly and his emotional lyrics hit me when I heard them. The bluntness and honesty in them hit this sad boi…. ‘Broken Record’ has one of the catchiest choruses I have come across and is easily the standout track on the album. ‘Smother Me’ being the metalcore attempt on the record and despite the riffs lacking, Trevor kills it. ‘Not Enough’ follows closely behind ‘Broken Record’ for mixing some damn catchiness with nice aggressive moments, and lyrically it’s Trevor’s best moment on the album. ‘Vulture’ also having some great melodies and could easily have been a top pop hit without some of the
heaviness.
Outline In Color aren’t going to get any awards for being a progressive band. There are bands who riff away much harder whilst still being poppy. A little bit more of the
riffy side here would have made this album more enjoyable, but it would have also not been true to the strengths on the band. Poppy Post-Hardcore is a dime a dozen now and an easy genre to hate, Outline In Color deserve a bit of a look in, they do it better than most and don’t seem to be bad dudes…. Like old mate Tyler.
