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Review Summary: ‘So take me back to your house, its where I want to be’ – to listen to the entirety of this album. If you’re looking for a band to represent the most underrated of melodic hardcore, then look no further than Glaswegian outfit, Departures.
They have yet to tour beyond Europe (excluding a short tour of Japan) and when I met the band a few years ago at Ghostfest in Leeds, I put this very question to them: “Why aren’t you guys more popular?”, to which the response was, “Probably because we don’t have any mosh parts”. Listening to 'Death Touches Us...', not a truer sentence has been uttered.
There are moments of jabs, moments that will make you want to tilt your head forward or back (whichever way you feel so inclined) but primarily this album is one to appreciate in one place, through body and mind. Eyes closed, laying on the bed; the textures, melodies and sheer emotion of this record comes to fruition. This is Departures’ third full length and every release has been poignant, emotional and mature. From their debut, 'When Losing Everything Is Everything You Wanted' in 2011, 'Teenage Haze' in 2012, to this year’s 'Death Touches Us...', they know what they are doing, they know what they want to write, and they just keep getting better. It is a formula that works and still to this day, makes them stand out in melodic hardcore.
The beginning to 'Lost' is reminiscent of the introduction of 'The Last Drive', from their debut release, 'When Losing Everything...' and it almost feels as though it follows a similar structure but at no point does it feel half-hearted as it still lures you in completely. The guitars and vocals pull you in further with James McKean's voice portraying such despair and sadness. The very image of his throat straining as he yells every word with all his might is not a hard one to compose. Lyrically, McKean is poetic, moving and melancholy. 'Because I'm still in love, just tied to your heart strings. Hanging on every single word you say. How will there be a tomorrow, when you make me feel there was no today?' taken from 'Broken' being a prime example.
Daniel Nash and Andrew Traynor's melodic guitars, sometimes so delicate, you forget you are listening to a form of hardcore, are consistently exquisite and on their own could tell the story of the song. There is no respite from the textured, tactful, sensitive guitars as they weave their way round and into the listeners ears. Two guitars are used incredibly well on a consistent basis and at very few points do you find the guitarists doing the same thing. Layers are developed throughout and at points you question if there are three, if not four guitars. The bass is audible and that is what you want and need in such an album. It isn't lost and holds the band together giving a much needed beefy tone to the sound, keeping the guitars afloat. From the bridge of 'Broken' and 'In Colour' where he provides a deep hook among the light guitar, to the heavier parts of 'Lost', Sean Cosgrove does what bass needs to do. No immediate attention seeking, but you're aware it's there and at times you feel yourself taking a particular interest in what he creates.
Departures aren't a band to break the mould because they haven't mould to break. They're out on their own in the sea of hardcore. 'Set Adrift' from the rest and this is perhaps where their popularity is explained. 'Death Touches Us...' is a very solid record and one that will stand the band in good stead as they continue to work their way up the hardcore ladder. Ten songs entwine seamlessly and at no point does the album feel short lived, lethargic or elongated.
I'd advise anyone who has a liking/loving for melodic hardcore or hardcore in general, to take 35 minutes out of their day and give this record a spin; it's beautifully heart rendering.
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Album Rating: 5.0
Go easy on me
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love this band, will have to check this out
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you can edit your review if you want to! just go to your profile and click "edit my reviews/albums"
I can read this and give ya some suggestions if ya want
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"From their debut, 'When Losing Everything Is Everything You Wanted' in 2011, 'Teenage Haze' in 2012, to this year’s 'Death Touches Us...', they know what they are doing, they know what they want to write, and they just keep getting better. It is a formula that works and still to this day, makes them stand out in melodic hardcore. "
expand on this point more...what is their formula? what makes them standout? you don't really describe the music at all.
"The bass is audible and that'll do."
this just kinda shows that you don't know what you're talking about...obviously explain more about the bass parts other than the fact that it's audible lol
"Ten songs work well and at no point does the album feel short lived, lethargic or unnecessarily elongated."
clunky sentence, would reword
last sentence is a bit unnecessary and cliche
I honestly like your informal intro, kinda hooks the reader in. I just wish you would've explained more about the music. kinda generic sounding review in the middle. for a first review though this isnt terrible, ive def seen worse
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Cheers man, took the crit on board and expanded. Hopefully this is more of a developed review
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hey good on you for trying. I realize im getting a bit nitpicky but you still aren't really saying anything about the bass...use some descriptive words. also im more for the longer paragraph style, kinda looks like youre jumping from one point to the next without transition. maybe find a way to combine some paragraphs so that it looks more cohesive? overall it's not too bad and keep writing!
| | | Album Rating: 4.6
wag
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wag?
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
cool review, great for a first, though listen to Conmaniac's feedback, its all solid. You do seem to give this band godly praise, saying they are head and shoulders over others in the genre, but I'm not sure you really explain why. Others have emotional vocalists and delicate guitars in the genre without needing music that induces mosh pits as well, so how is this better than those bands?
Side note, cool that you met the guys
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I must admit I adore this band. I can't fault them and I'm lucky they're from the UK so I've seen them 6 times (in six different venues - crazy times) and hopefully plenty more times in the near future.
Could you give me some examples of bands that are very similar to Departures because I struggle to find ones quite like them. They have unique qualities to their music in my eyes (ears).
And thanks for thinking review is decent.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Jam some State Faults.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I know State Faults but from what I've heard they aren't quite as soft on the ear. Maybe I haven't listened to enough of their discography. Any songs in particular I should listen to?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Just listen to both LPs the first one is my fav hardcore/emo along with this band's first album.
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
Thats pretty cool man
I dont know, not hugely into the genre, and not listened to the album (giving it a listen now though), but off the top of my head possibly la dispute 'wildlife' or while she sleeps 'this is the six.' From bands with more emo roots suis la lune 'heir' or snowing 'fuck your emotional bullshit' have similarly coarse vocals, detailed instrumentals and emotional lyrics.
I suppose what I was looking for in your review was a more precise explanation of why this band is better than everything else in the genre.
Either way, still a great review, good enough to convince me to give this a listen
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I can never get into La Dispute but WSS I used to like a lot. I'm giving Suis La Lune a listen and liking it so far. Will give Snowing a listen after.
And glad to hear it. Hope you like it
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Cavalcades is another band I'd tell you to check out as you like Suis La Lune 'n' all
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
Cool man, hope you like. Snowing is a recent fave of mine, gave it a 4.5, though its more like emo/punk. The Suis La Lune is a 4 to me.
Digging the vocals on this album, i get what you were saying in the review. Pos'd by the way.
Also, cool to see another UK user
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Listened to both a bit and digging both. Will give them more extensive listens soon. Also giving Killing The Dream and Endzweck a good listen.
deadpoets. & Porch Swing are good ones to check out for bands similar to Departures.
Glad you see what I meant and sure is. Guessing vast majority are American on here?
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
Glad to hear it. Cool, will add them to my list of recs.
Yeah mainly Americans and Australians are the ones I've talked to, primarily the former. Though, I have talked to a few people from Germany too.
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
Oh, also, Check The Hotelier - 'Home, Like NoPlace Is There', pretty much my favourite album and something you may dig
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