Review Summary: Evolving away from their previous sound and into an all too familiar area, Memphis May Fire proves that you can do the same, and still manage to impress all who doubts you.
There is a point in a bands career when they must define their sound, realize what they’re aiming to do musically and attack it. It’s not unusual to watch a band start one way and evolve into something else, it could either be a sign of growth or of something less valuable. Memphis May Fire have gone through a change, whether you find it as them growing and expanding their sound, or just trying really hard to fit in. At first glance,
Between the Lies seems to be the group just attempting to mix in with the crowd. Gone are all the southern based riffs and structures, replacing them are breakdowns and more familiar elements of the genre.
Moving away from their debut album
Sleepwalking, the
Between the Lies seems to be an introduction to this new sound the band is approaching, just a test to see if people like it or hate it. The difference between their debut and this is noticed instantly as ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ opens with it’s fresh guitar introduction leading into the explosion which is vocalist Matty Mullins. His energetic, powerful screams show a whole new side of his vocal abilities as he continues to impress throughout the entire EP. After all that screaming and shouting, he comes right back with his fantastic singing voice, which he could’ve used more often than just choruses for the most part, but it just goes to show how much flexibility he really has with his voice.
‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ is energy at it’s finest, pummeling you down even more with it’s crushing breakdown taking place of the bridge, you start to really notice how well the band can pull off this sound. ‘Action/Adventure’ keeps the energy alive and well and offers up a catchy chorus and yet again, another simply crafted and well performed breakdown which brought a sure smile to my face. The only real downfall to this release hits with ‘Vaulted Ceilings’ a slowed down, more singing based song which really seems to not fit in any way. Opening with two fast paced songs and randomly slowing down in the center is kind of like a large speed bump on a drag course, why speed up just to slow down right as you start to hit full speed.
‘Deuces Las Cruces’ thankfully picks the speed back up after that minor upset. One of the strongest elements of the song is it’s chorus, which you find yourself attempting to sing along with after your first few listens. The duel guitar work throughout the EP is absolutely fantastic as well, technical when it needs to be and simple when it should be, already we find ourselves being able to place the band well above most other groups in the genre just for their instrumental abilities. Closing the EP with ‘Gingervitus’ we’re offered pretty much the same as all the tracks before. It features an awesome chorus, good instrumental work and a few good breakdowns for all those show goers.
Despite the little things that might detract listeners from this,
Between the Lies just goes to show that there are still bands out there that are able to be the same while still separating themselves from the rest. There is a lot of things here that are sure to have the band lose some fans, but gain much more as they advance on with this new personal sound. It just goes to show that there’s always something out there that has the ability to surprise you, and that’s exactly what Memphis May Fire has done here.
