Review Summary: "When you try to get posh, the meaning gets lost, so i'm thinking inside the box."
This is the philosophy that Watford crew Lower Than Atlantis have taken in creating their stunning debut full length, Far Q.
Mike Duce is pissed off. The songs on Far Q (say it out loud and quick) have been written about being bored at home, losing all the tracks in your itunes library, the recession, internet romance and newspapers, amongst tonnes of other subjects. You definitely wont find Mike under a tree praising the beauty of nature with a quill and parchment.
This universality, truth and honesty in the lyrics, is the number one aspect of this record that lifts it above the pool of derivative UK hardcore bands of today. There's no metaphors. No bull***. Mike Duce says what he means, and he means every ***ing word.
The quality of songs doesn't falter throughout the entire album, from the autobiographical opening title track, to the genuinely funny "I'm not bullimic (I just wanted to see how far i could stick my fingers down my throat)" and the tender balladry of "Mike Duce's Symphony No.11 In D Minor", the whole album is littered with addictive, heartfelt songs, that flow together like an urban bible of boredom, heartache, contemplation and reflection.
Musically, its a standard bowel shaking punk onslaught, with Duce supplying his rich, quintessentially English croon, on top of his incensed shouts and screams. Its quite clearly not an innovation, but this is irrelevant when every single song is incredibly structured, written and performed. Melodies such as the chorus of "taping songs off the radio" will filter through into your head after 3/4 listens...and pitch up camp there for 5/6 weeks.
Performance of the rhythm section is integral to the ferocity, with Declan Hart (bass) & Eddy Thrower (drums) thundering like angry bastards underneath the surface.
Ben Samson & Mike Duce's guitar tones are very different to the majority of bands in the UK hardcore scene, maintaining an almost indie-like twang, which is bound to become a central characteristic to the bands sound. This low-drive, high-treble stroke, means you can hear the pent up aggression in every pick and strum. Clever boys.
Lower Than Atlantis are a great new band. The only downside is that there are too many seperate unique selling points within this album's 12 tracks, for a neutral opinion to count.
So Ill give you mine instead.
It's ***ing awesome.
4.5
Leo Troy
Must hear:
Far Q, Im Not Bullimic (I Just Wanted To See How Far I Could Stick My Fingers Down My Throat), Face Full Of Scars, Mike Duce's Symphony No.11 In D Minor
For fans of: Gallows, The Ghost Of A Thousand, Your Demise, Foo Fighters
