Review Summary: Using fluent and intelligent lyrics, with underlying meanings, and a heavy hitting sound mixed with reoccurring jazzy breaks, Addison (with their recent breakup) enter in a respectable album into the cluttered library that is the metalcore genre.
Have you heard of Underoath? Probably. Perhaps Inhale Exhale? Most likely. Now image if those bands, and Addison's fellow Aussie band; Dream On, Dreamer (check em too!) were thrown into the blender. Addison would be the concoction.
It's funny how yet again, if you haven't already guessed it, that Addison is a Christian-Influenced metalcore band, with a few ambient moments and jazz interludes. Thus it's almost evident as to where their influences lie, but nonetheless deserved to be mentioned along with them (The bands I listed above). Addison have an excellent harsh vocalist, and a reliable and solid (if not rarely but noticeably a little wavery on some chords on occasion, but that provides a measure of reality in my opinion) clean vocalist. Backed up with a good guitarist and a (surprise!) noticeable bassist, the band's last and final release Closer To Home, is a pretty good album.
It wasn't put through the Sturgis Factory when it came for production time, more or less it was put through the "Aussie Factory" as I like to call it, probably somewhat generic over there, and new and fresh over here. Perhaps new and fresh is a bit of an exaggeration but you get my point.
the breakdowns, while appearing a bit too often to be respected by some, they are pretty good, almost always sending a chill down your spine, because isn't that what they were meant to do? To cause a mix of excitement and satisfaction when listening to them? Aussies seem to have learnt to actually pay attention in the class of producing decent music, (heard of We Are The Emergency? Check it!). But make no mistake I'm only mentioning breakdowns because I think a lot of people judge bands because of their breakdowns, so make sure to give this band the respect they deserve before rating them, please finish the album.
The interludes are a more utilized tool, and they do it well. Great soaring guitar work during them, and the clean parts of the songs of course. In my opinion the guitar and the vocals are the highlights of the album.
For you drummer fans out there, myself included, the drums are just there, they're not progressive or anything impressive, but they are satisfactory. Providing the song structure easily and well, you can't hate them, only give a "meh".
For those of you waiting for the new underoath record, this wont be anything as good, but it's still good, therefor check it out while you're staring frustratingly at the updates, waiting to actually hear something that isn't a shi**y cam from a concert.
Anyways Closer To Home warrants a deserved 3/5
Standout tracks: This Hole In the Floor Looks Like Us, Oh Lethargy, Why Do You Covert Me?, Ocean's, and The Long Walk Home
-ANewTypeOfPunk
