Review Summary: We Are The Emergency come out swinging with their debut release.
What can be said about post-hardcore that hasn't been said before? There are many bands that cling to the genre that are made up of immature young adults that know nothing about the craft of music; This makes for many Sputnik album ratings of 2.5 or lower. Despite Bitchfork's unfair 2.5, rest assured that this band is most definitely something special in the genre; Mixing alternative roots with some hardcore and progressive aspects in a well executed manner from start to finish.
The album wastes no time getting into the thick of the bands sound with the first track. Just one minute in, you can tell you're in for a treat for the next 47 minutes of your life; Catchy opening guitar riff, refreshing vocals, creative drumming, poetic lyrics, and audible bass(No Way!) As a whole, this band is able to create several memorable moments in every song. While the first track isn't an absolute standout track, it sets you up for track two which is simply amazing in every sense. The guitars instantly get you hooked into the song. Once the vocals come in, there's no going back. This formula is not exactly consistent throughout the album however. Unlike many bands in the genre, We Are The Emergency choose to vary the structure of their songs. Now I know what you're thinking: "Who cares if there's variety in structure? Can they pull off the different structures while still having a complete sound?"
The answer to this comes with the fifth track on the album, "Footsteps." This track, quite different than the others, manages to be unique and one of the strongest on the record. This track vividly showcases the immaculate vocal ability of the band members as well as the unparalleled key work. Sophie Rodgers creates an atmosphere in this song that leaves the listener more than satisfied. Everything that works for the first 2 and half minutes of the song builds up more and more until finally a vocal climax is reached that backs down into a beautiful harmonized vocal duet between the lead vocalist and the key player. "Footsteps" could get stuck in your head for days and days and you would not care one bit. The whole album could achieve this easily. The vocal, as well as guitar melodies are fantastic on every track, so be warned.
While the singing is the high point of this album, on some tracks there is a tiny bit of screaming. The screams are fantastic. They are used sparingly on the record and when they are used, they fit perfectly with the section of the song that they are placed; Most notably in the song "Between The Places We Belong." The screams work as the perfect accent to the tone of the song created by its inspiring lyrics. Every track on this album has redeemable qualities of some sort. Props must be given to this Australia-based band for not following the generic ideals for post-hardcore set by mediocre bands of the genre like Attack Attack! They have truly created a piece of work that stands out; And as almost any truly magnificent album within a given genre, the band is completely unknown in the U.S. They deserve not only your attention, but the attention of any fan of music in general.
Standout Tracks
-Footsteps
-It's Floating Wicker Propelled By Fire
-Ink Well Paper Stains
-My Conscience Is the Only One Who Gets Me
Pretty much the whole album.
