Review Summary: Awesome!
To begin with, I would like to see a show of hands within my sight that have disliked this album. Please be honest, there is no need to be shy because all I ask from you is simply the truth. No show of hands. Perfect because this trio Evan Weiss, Mike Kinsella, and Matthew Frank has created and produced an album that has become by far one of my favorite albums of the year 2013 along with I Kill Giants LP, Old Gray LP Autobiography, and Caravels LP Lacuna. In spite of my pretentiously general descriptions of this trio, at first I have found this band to be too haughty and bumptious for an indie-emotive hardcore band, however, I reminded myself again that this band has the entitlement and the right to sound as arrogant as they want. Every member within this trio deserves and earns the respect and undivided attention needed. Evan Weiss, front man of this band, has played and with a number of bands like Stay Ahead of The Weather. However, many are more familiar with him during his Into It Over It career. Matthew Frank, the bassist of this band, is from the one of more popular and highly recognized math rock band Loose Lips Sink Ships. Lastly, of course Mike Kinsella, the man of action, many whom considered along with his brother, Timothy Kinsella, the godfathers and pioneers of the twinkly emotive hardcore sound. He has played in a number of bands like Cap’n Jazz, One Up Downstairs, Owls and American Football.
Many have asked me countless times, “What is the sound of Their/They’re/There?” Does their sound resemble to Cap’n Jazz or American Football? My answer is always the same, neither. We must also take in consideration that Mike is not only the member in the band; there are Evan and Matt also.
The album begins with the track, Their/They’re/Therapy, which explodes with booming riffs and beautiful chords along with some frenetic drum patterns. The first line that looms of the chaotic yet beautifully crafted background of music is “This sucks, I suck and unpredictable emotions, these are the sad bastard condition certainly not what I would sing to assume see each day am I okay!” Evan expresses this line with such excitement and sentiment; the way his voice moves from note to note and moves from pitch to pitch, makes me want to hum along with the melody. Makes my heart want to stop long enough so I could breathe in and hum away. The next track Concession Speech Writer, begins with a swaying drum groove that involves complex paradiddle tom-tom and snare patterns handed by Mike with barely any effort. The bass delivery handed by Matt flows perfectly with the hi-hat and snare rock breaks done by Mike towards the end of the song. Evan sings slower on this track, however, he nails every note and every sound played. I love how the track transitions in the end from that solo guitar melody and back to the drum groove.
The next track, Fit Your Life Into A Grid, personally is one of my favorite tracks on this EP. It starts with slow melodies and gradually builds into a fiesta of soaring guitars and roaring drum fills. My favorite moment is when Evan breaks into his solo, his voice gently caresses upon every string on the bass like tide in an angry storm when he says, a memory of being eight years old I was all alone…” My god that was so powerful. Then I love how the track then transitions from soft to very loud at the end with explosive yet warm chords. This shows how a band like this can play with their dynamics and create something truly special.
The next track, Apocalypse (Not Right) Now is very similar Fit Your Life Into A Grid, however, offers more than quietness, it gives some elegant and complex guitar work handed flawlessly by Matt and Evan. The guitars are shimmering so brightly on this track, it sinks in the sharp sound with of clanging crashes of the drums.
The next track, 572 Cuthbert, involves yet again some complex guitar work that involves some intricate tapping and strumming. However, this track is the softest on the album, it reminds me a lot of the work done by Owen or American Football.
The album closes with End and End, as its name suggests, it is the end and gives a lot of promise to the listeners, this track is also a favorite on my list. All the instrumental work by Matt and Mike are at their best and done so spastically yet carefully that almost takes your heart away. I literally felt the power of the melody at the end of track where Evan sings so passionately that it makes me cry. His voice may not be as good as famous artists like Michael Jackson or Beyonce, but it is good enough for me to sing along and cry. This album overall is a painting that shows the sun hanging from the clouds and setting into the night sky
