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Review Summary: Repetition to its center, but still good hardcore. With a new label and recovered vocalist, Defeater returns with their fourth studio album. Still along the same vein of melodic hardcore and a sensability for story-telling, Abandoned comes forth as a result. This album comes off with the typical style of Defeater. However, immediately one can tell that this is a harder and more aggressive step from their last effort Letters Home, debatably being the most aggressive they have been since their earlier work. This album comes off as a solid musical refinement from Letters Home, with slightly better musicianship overall and a slight progression as a band.
Many of the members of the band see improvement on this album. The drums at many times are crushing and at times really shine on this album. As well, the guitars showcase excellent riffs, progressions and eerie melodies. Songs such as “unanswered” and “atonement” show good spectrum of the talent this band has, a bifurcating color scheme to the bands talents as musicians. As well, vocalist Derek Archambault has another solid performance on this album. In most ways this is a very tight and well put together album. Yet, this album can’t escape the feeling of simply being Letters Home Pt. 2. This album follows an extremely similar style and feel, leading one to believe that this album is just a continuation of the path they have been along now. The opening guitar from the album is exactly the same as the end of Letters Home even.
Following along the same exact lyrical themes, this album is once again, telling the story of a war torn man. Albeit this time, he is a god believing man. This concept follows along with the stories Defeater has written for five years now. It combines the same themes of war, loss, alcoholism, lost love and godlessness as every work before. This gives this album an almost unrecognizable quality. It soon becomes just a stitching of all their work from before, after only a few listens. For this reason, this album loses much of its kick and just feels like it’s a repetition of everything. With no new ideas, it makes the album flat and it loses its appeal. It makes me wonder how much one man can write about cigarettes, blood in veins and booze. I wonder at this point if Archambault is even trying anymore.
Ultimately it comes to be a lyrically boring effort for a story we have all heard before. For every good musical quality, there is one you have heard before from the band. Abandoned comes off as an enjoyable album to listen to, but nothing more. The originality and freshness found in Travels, has fully worn off and we are left with an above average hardcore band, making an above average release. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to listen to Lost Ground.
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Album Rating: 2.5
First review, feedback is appreciated. Album stream is up on Youtube. Thanks guys.
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couldn't get through the entire album how boring it was
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
yay hasty reviews for the win
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Delicious, delicious sarcasm. Yum yum yum.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Was there any need for that really?
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
The title track is the only good song
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
this band is such a sad state of affairs
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
currently writing a scathing review
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
probably deserves it though I don't plan on checking this anytime soon.
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I vote Borrowed & Blue for most boring song of the year. And it turns into a weird radio rock song near the end...im so confused.
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Can't believe people are calling this better than Letters Home. It feel like a bunch of b-sides from that album.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
album was fine until borrowed & blue which feels so out of place its crazy
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here let me help you fix your review errors:
edit: actually I'll just rewrite this for you:
With a new label and recovered vocalist you should specify this, by the way, Defeater return with their fourth studio album, sticking to the same vein of melodic hardcore and a sensibility for story-telling, yet more aggressive than their last effort, Letters Home. Abandoned is a solid musical refinement of Letters Home, with better overall musicianship and a conceptual progression.
Many of the members have improved. The drums are often crushing and occasionally steal the show. Also, the guitars showcase excellent riffs, progressions, and eerie melodies. Songs such as “unanswered” and “atonement” show the spectrum of the talent this band has: a bifurcating color scheme to the bands talents as musiciansno fucking clue what this means, so maybe use a better metaphor. As well, vocalist Derek Archambault brings the goods. Abandoned is very well thought-out, yet occasionally feels like Letters Home Pt. 2. This album follows an extremely similar style and feel, leading one to believe that this album is little more than a continuation. (The opening guitar is the same on both releases, even.)note: you'e contradicting your opening paragraph here. you said before that this was a refinement in musicality and sounded more aggressive. now it sounds like this isn't a progression at all..
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Using similar lyrical themes, Defeater once again tell the tales of a war-torn man, with the difference being: he is a man of faith. It ties into the stories the group have been weaving for five years now, touching on war, alcoholism, lost love, and godlessness be careful; you said the guy was a man of faith... In a way, this prevents Abandoned from having a unique identity. Ceaselessly wiring about cigarettes and booze, one might wonder if Archambault is even trying anymore.
Ultimately, we've heard most of Abandoned before, as the originality and freshness found in Travels has fully worn of. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to listen to Lost Ground.most of your closing paragraph was super redundant, with you basically repeating how the album didn't bring anything new. feel free to find more to say
yeah idk. next time, use the proofreading thread in the site forum.
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Good review man. Not really too big on the post-hardcore stuff myself.
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"Songs such as “unanswered” and “atonement” show good spectrum of the talent this band has, a bifurcating color scheme to the bands talents as musicians."
2 deep 4 me.
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Yeah, this can use some cleanup, and the details have been pointed out. BUT you're showing initiative and bothering to provide content, thereby advancing the Sputnik community's musical conscious instead of the majority of users who prefer to shit on others without being bold enough to submit their opinions for greater scrutiny. You'll find tons of assholes being assholes on here because they can. Don't let it get to you, learn from your mistakes and try again later.
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Looking forward to Trebor's scathing review
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looking forward to trebor's one paragraph review
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
this probably doesn't need more than one paragraph to be thoroughly reviewed. i'm kinda bummed about how hard these guys have stagnated
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