Review Summary: If you have any interest in metalcore music, Dreamer is for you.
I've been a long time fan of Haste The Day, and just like everyone else, I was worried when Jimmy left. HTD pulled through this time and acquired Stephen as their new lead vocalist. They recorded Pressure The Hinges and released it for the masses. I thought it was a decent album at best, not nearly up to the sky high standards HTD had been setting. There are only about four songs I enjoy off that entire album. Although I was disappointed and sadder than ever about the new HTD, I still supported the guys in the band, and was mildly excited to hear they were recording again. When they put a new song up, I really began to pay attention. This song sounded like no HTD I had heard before. The screaming of Stephen had improved about 100%, the music was sounding really awesome and it was going in a new direction. The band ended up putting two more songs on Myspace and releasing the cover art and the name of the new album, Dreamer. Both of these new songs were also amazing, so my interest was grabbed fully and I eagerly awaited the release.
Now that the entire album has come out and I have listened to it a ton of times, I have to say this is Haste The Day's best work since Burning Bridges.
I will start with general flow and themes of Dreamer. This CD flows nearly flawlessly. It isn't like listening to a mewithoutYou album and not knowing when the song changes, but the songs sound great in this order. The first four songs will get you pumped up, then they slow it down a little, speed it back up, and end with a remake of Autumn. As for themes, this CD is a lot darker than the band's past works, and it works amazingly well. Tracks such as An Adult Tree and Labyrinth will send chills down your back. Madman shows just how masterful Stephen can be at writing. This song is just creepy and very detailed. Haunting is a great song and the lyrics follow the common theme very well. 68 is a perfect song to set the mood for the rest of the CD, and there's just one line after another that are awesome.
Musically, this is everything you could possibly want out of a CD. There are lots of fast and exciting tracks, and there's a perfect amount of slower songs mixed in. I was surprised to hear breakdowns in these songs, especially since they are done so well. The choruses are as good as they always are. All of the songs have great lyrics that will stick in your head. Stephen has become a much better screamer, like I mentioned before. He has added a little variety in his screaming. And it sounds like he has perfected his yelling moments. That sounds weird, but you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, listen to the song Haunting. After the first line he starts yelling "I've seen it again and again. We just have to close the door and we can't ever let them in." It sounds really good, he really brings some unique things to the table. Instrumentally, everything is sounding really tight. Everything fits together perfectly. HTD has always been incredible at writing music, this CD just makes you remember it.
It is amazing how much these guys have progressed. When Everything Falls and Pressure The Hinges are good efforts, but let's be honest. A lot of the songs on them sound very similar. This is not the case with Dreamer. Each song sounds different than anything else I've heard from the band. An Adult Tree shows that they have become incredible at writing slower songs. The song that surprised me the most was Labyrinth. I never expected HTD to write a song that sounded like this. It is refreshing, and the instruments are absolutely beautiful.
Every song on this CD is fantastically done. Haste The Day is back. There is no reason you shouldn't get this and go see these guys play live.
