Line-Up:
Jordan Buckley - Guitar
Keith Buckley - Vocals
Andrew Williams - Guitar
Michael Novak Jr. (Ratboy) - Drums
Stephen Micciche - Bass
Bio (Courtesy of [url]www.ferretstyle.com[/url]):
Born in the winter of 1998, Every Time I Die quickly garnered local acclaim by releasing a four song self titled demo. Playing shows with friends in Victory Records own Buried Alive, vocalist Keith Buckley, guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley, drummer Michael Novak and bassist John McCarthy set off through New York State and parts of Canada on a short tour, where they were scouted by Chris Logan of Goodfellow Records and offered an opportunity to put out the five song E.P entitled "The Burial Plot Bidding War". Though a somewhat inexperienced and coarsely recorded release, it established the foundation of gritty, unrequitedly heartfelt and chaotic music that Every Time I Die would build upon with architectural precision... (The full bio can be found at [url]www.ferretstyle.com[/url])
Album Review:
"I hate this city," an audio clip from the movie Se7en, starts off the first track of, undoubtedly, one of the best hardcore releases in recent memory. The combination of chaos and beauty that Every Time I Die uses is unmatched and a breath of fresh air in the more-than-lacking hardcore category these days. "Emergency Broadcast Syndrome" kicks it off right with two minutes of fury and lyrical genius. That, in my mind, is one of the greatest aspects of Every Time I Die's huge arsenal. Keith Buckley is one of the best writers in music and nothing can take away from that.
Despite not being full of breakdowns, "Jimmy Tango's Method" is a song you can easily dance to. The lyrical brilliance and insanity doesn't stop with this song either. "If you don't wake up I'll have to stop kissing you" is screamed above a little breakdown in which you should be punching someone square in the face while screaming the verse at the top of your lungs. 2:40 through the song brings the chug and the mosh. Easily one of the best tracks on the album. "Here's Lookin' at You" starts off with much of the same as "Emergency Broadcast Syndrome." Not that this is a bad thing because despite both being somewhat similar noisecore songs, everything feels fresh and new. Not a dull track, by any means, but not enough innovation to be remembered forever despite the chilling lyrical content being drilled into the side of your head. This song also brings the first sense of melody about 2:05 through the song.
One thing, however, that you will notice is how fast time flies when listening to this album. So much ground is covered within the shorter songs that you will wonder what has been going on around you. This CD will leave you oblivious to your surroundings if you fall into it and just follow Keith's voice down the 'rabbit hole.'
"Punch-Drunk Punk Rock Romance" has some more melody 1:00 into the song. Keith's singing voice sends shivers down your spine before spewing some more beautifully crafted and written phrases. This song delivers a great, catchy bass line and Keith seems much more angry and it's felt with every scream. The thoughts and inclinations of murder leave a smile on your face as you can't help but nod your head and tap your foot. 3:20 really hits the sweet spot in the first half of this album. "How punk rock is this" is screamed over a mini-breakdown long enough to hit a few people.
"Enter Without Knocking And Notify The Police" is a nice little interlude for, arguably, the best Every Time I Die track of all time. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can top "The Logic of Crocodiles." Despite its cut-throat dialogue, this song is a masterpiece. Incorporating melody masked beneath noise, masked beneath a gut-wrenching screaming, masked behind one of the best lyrical pieces. You wouldn't think it, but this is the song you remember the most. Maybe because it's so different or maybe because it's just a wonderful piece. Doesn't matter the reason, this IS Every Time I Die. 3:50 minutes of pure orgasmic, hardcore enjoyment.
"Pincushion" continues to bring the pain and delivers another catchy bassline. The best thing about this song, is at points it hints of a breakdown and more often than not, doesn't deliver. This keeps you intrigued and hooked throughout up until about 1:15 iwherein you begin throwing fists all the way through until 2:00. Yes, it's about :45 of a breakdown but it is a FAST breakdown. At the 2:00 mark you begin feeling every word that Keith is screaming into your face and you can't help but scream along regardless of where you are.
"Nothing Dreadful Never Happens" is one of the tracks that just make you go 'what the ****?' until Keith becomes very solemn and saddening. "I didn't survive the crash" is sung over very mournful guitar work and then ETID punches you right in the throat. This song is what Every Time I Die's diversity is all about. Remember this track, and remember them. "California, Gracefully" is a nice little song that keeps you into the CD until the very end. Nothing much here that separates it from some of the other more noisecore-esque songs but not a bad track. There isn't one bad track on this album. And I thank ETID for that.
"Shallow Water Blackout" ends the debut full-length the way it started; fighting. Not a GREAT track but as I stated earlier, there isn't one disappointing track on this album. There is enough variation to keep you tuned in right up until the final two minutes. Not too many other debuts have hit this hard, and it simply shows what hard work and creativity can bring a band. "I hate this city..."
Note-worthy Songs:
"Jimmy Tango's Method"
"Punch-Drunk Punk Rock Romance"
"The Logic of Crocodiles"
"Nothing Dreadful Never Happens"
Final Rating:
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
(Rating system: 5 thumbs = a 'must have' for EVERYONE!/ 4 thumbs = a 'must have' for the genre fan/ 3 thumbs = a 'must have' if this is your specific kind of musical taste/ 2 thumbs = a 'must have' if this is one of your favorite bands/ 1 thumb = effort points)
