AmbitionsWhen I first picked up an Ambitions demo a few years back at a With Honor show, I was pretty much floored. This was one of the best hardcore demos I’ve heard in ages. A couple months after said show, With Honor announced their break-up. Obviously losing one of my favorite modern hardcore bands from the scene didn’t make me too happy, however, I wasn’t exactly devastated either, knowing Ambitions would now be at the forefront for those members involved in both projects.
That first demo entitled ‘No Limits’, had desperate, yet melodic vocals. The intertwining lead and rhythm guitars circled each other like a couple of shirtless goons in the pit that never actually clash together in uncontrollable mayhem. The drumming was also extremely tight and effective. All four tracks were exceptional, with “In Between” and “Uphill Battle” being two classic hardcore tracks in my mind. In 2006, Ambitions released their debut EP, ‘Question’ on ThinkFast! Records. The band re-recorded those four demo tracks as well as three additional songs. It was a very strong release that rode the backs of those excellent demo songs. This past Autumn, Bridge Nine Records put out Ambitions first full-length, ‘Stranger’. And right from the get-go, let me say…I was mildly disappointed.
My first reaction a few months back was to give it about ten spins and disown it. Fast forward a couple months and this CD was put on my plate for review. I begrudgingly gave the disc another twenty or so spins over the past few weeks. Has my opinion changed over time? Yes and no! After repeated listens, I can say that the guitar work is just as good as those early releases if not better. The drums are also still good, but drowned out by the mix. That is my only complaint in regards to the album’s production and mixing.
The vocals are usually my favorite and in my mind most important aspect of any hardcore song. Aust’s vocals have the same dragged melody feature of earlier releases, however, there is a serious lack of energy from him on these songs. I know this isn’t a traditional hardcore record, but aggressive music, melodic or not, needs at least one of the following traits; energy, aggression and/or emotion. Unfortunately this album lacks all three. At times, Aust’s melodies are so tiresome, that they appear to be a monotone bedtime story.
Ambitions began in With Honor’s shadow and exhibited a biting rhetorical that demanded attention. When With Honor became history, Ambitions might have lost the urgency to break out of WH’s mighty shadow. Like a soon-to-be free agent athlete who excels in his final year of his contract to score the big bucks on his next contract, Ambitions had something to fight for with WH around. And what happens more often than not, to that same athlete after he scores all that cash? He gets too comfortable and doesn’t perform with an edge or any urgency to drive his game. Ambitions is no longer in any shadow and I feel they’ve gotten too comfortable.
Rating: 3/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: “Fact Remains” & “Rapid Succession”
Synopsis: Ambitions needs to regain their urgency, especially in the vocals. They also need to settle on one direction. This album sounds like they are trying to navigate the roads of Lifetime, Crime In Stereo and Rites Of Spring all at once and it’s not working.