Review Summary: An album that is excellent from front to back, with standout songs ready to be on repeat for days on end.
Even before A Day To Remember were at the forefront of the ‘scene’ genre, they were creating memorable songs and touring extensively to promote themselves. After ‘And Their Name Was Treason’ was released on little known label ‘Indianola’, and although no marketing was available, the band was able to sell nearly 5000 copies through word-of-mouth and their touring schedule. After signing to Victory, and having some time to write and record, ‘For Those Who Have Heart’ was born. And though it’s nothing genre defining, standout songs and a solid performance all round leaves the listener wanting more, and wanting it fast.
Right from the get-go, album opener ‘Fast Forward To 2012’ gives an overview of the album; memorable riffs, an excellent performance with the sticks, and an easily recognisable vocalist that performs his heart out. The opening track allows the listener to prepare themselves for the onslaught that is to come; softer parts mixed in with crushing breakdowns and heavy-on-the-ears harsh vocals that leave a great impression on the listener. Follow-up song ‘Speak Of The Devil’ personifies this, with the chorus being extremely catchy, and the drums being fantastic, with the breakdown being extremely memorable.
Although the breakdowns are nothing to write home about, they fit what the album requires, and although they’re in nearly every song, they never feel overused or stale. The way that most songs are structured (Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Breakdown-Chorus) along the album can be quite tiring, but it changes up with a few curveball songs thrown in. Songs like ‘Monument’ and ‘The Price We Pay’ allow a softer and more welcomed alternative to the frequent heavy nature of each song. The instrumentation for the album is, for the most part, excellent, with the rhythm and lead audible and willing to let rip for the listener’s pleasure. Sadly, however, the bass is usually lost in the combined sounds of guitars and drums. The drums, however, are the standout, with double-bass and rolls incorporated with ease, never seeming out of place, and adds excitement to each song.
Although many may think that the album would drop off towards the end, it happily doesn’t. Although stand-out tracks such as ‘Monument’ and ‘The Danger In Starting A Fire’ are placed at the fore-front, the back half of the record is just as good, with songs such as ‘Here’s To The Past’ and ‘I Heard It’s The Softest Thing Ever’ placed back-to-back, not allowing the listener any rest, with the much appreciated instrumentation not letting down either. The lyrical content of the album is also stellar, with the idea of friendship being placed at the forefront, allowing listener’s a more enjoyable and relatable album, rather than the more overused ‘relationship’-esque topic that most bands of the genre fall victim to.
With a forty minute length and plenty to love, it’s no wonder why the album excels in what it goes out to achieve; to allow the listener an enjoyable experience without having to search through lyric sites to understand what on earth the vocalist is on about. Pair that with an excellent all-round performance from the band and memorable songs, ‘For Those Who Have Heart’ will be remembered by the listener a long time after it’s complete.
Positives:
• Different and well-presented lyrics
• Great all-round presentation from the backing band
• Standout drumming performance
• Memorable vocal performance
• Excellent production
Negatives:
• Bass is usually lost in the mix
Best Four:
• Here’s To The Past
• I Heard It’s The Softest Thing Ever
• The Danger In Starting A Fire
• Monument
