Review Summary: Crashing once again.
Taking a four year recording hiatus between your breakthrough album and its follow-up is quite the risk, to say the least. On top of that wait, switching up the signature sound that made the previous release popular in the first place is nothing less than a death wish. However, despite breaking these two cardinal sins, Pierce the Veil’s fourth full-length release sticks the landing with remarkable grace and precision.
Despite dropping some of the dark atmosphere of
Collide with the Sky, the summery vibe present throughout
Misadventures is almost as successful. While there’s nothing as aggressive as “A Match into Water” or “King for a Day,” the record still boasts some of Pierce the Veil’s strongest work to date. Opener “Dive In” serves as an excellent introduction to the band’s new direction, combining furious instrumentation and vocals with a fun, pop punk-esque atmosphere.
Misadventures does have its share of heavier numbers, however; “Today I Saw the Whole World” is easily the best example, combining an addictive groove with hard-hitting vocals and one of the album’s best hooks. Additionally, late album highlight “Sambuka” is one of the most interesting songs in the band’s discography. Spanning just 2 minutes and 36 seconds, it features the band at their most volatile and unpredictable.
As far as the softer numbers are concerned, it’s more of a mixed bag. Closer “Song for Isabelle” boasts some Pierce the Veil’s strongest songwriting, but neither “Floral & Fading” nor “Gold Medal Ribbon” manage to distinguish themselves in such a way. Neither tracks are poor by any stretch, but they’re a far cry from the quality of “Tangled in the Great Escape” or “I’m Low on Gas and You Need a Jacket.”
Misadventures is somewhat of a departure from the darker tone of PTV’s recent output, but that doesn’t necessarily prove to be a strike against the music itself. Additionally, it improves upon the biggest gripe I had with
Collide with the Sky, the fact that the album was frustratingly front-loaded with its best and heaviest tracks. The quality of
Misadventures, on the other hand, is spread evenly throughout the album’s run time. It might not be Pierce the Veil’s best album (although it’s pretty damn close), but it’s easily their most important, exemplifying a staying power that few bands in the scene have managed to attain.
every review needs at least one paragraph dedicated to the awesomeness of that song.
