SeasickBusting up out of New Brunswick, NJ comes this five piece who play hardcore with some thrash thrown in for good measure. One of the things I really like about the band is how they describe their sound on myspace, "Not AN". Absolute genius. Not totally sure, but I think this is the first release this guys have put out, aside from the obligatory demo I'm sure.
Starting off this 7 song EP is the track "Myths of the American Meritocracy Pt.1", which opens up with some feedback and a little drum work until a guitar comes in, playing a nice little melody, this goes on until the :56 mark, and then the band tears into a thrashing riff until they slow it up a bit with a mid paced part with a succinct and well done solo. The next song, "Illusions, Michael" is a fast moving gem clocking out at :59. It opens up with a speedy drum beat over an octave chord until they jump into the song, and they do this again right before the last riff of the song. The third song is the title track, "Awakenings". This is another fast moving track that highlights plodding basslines and manic shouting. Next up, "Cog In The Casual Machinery" opens with one of the guitars playing a traditional hardcore chord until everyone jumps into the mix and starts to hit you off with some nice rocked out hardcore complete with tastefully placed leads and dive bombs. Up next would be my favorite track of the EP, "Horizon". The song opens with a short little intro until changing gears into a driving yet catchy riff that features some sweet start and stop drum work right before the end. The sixth track, "Understanding Sentience" has one of the most memorable breaks on the disc, a really well done start and stop breakdown with some nice little lead'ish parts placed in between. Closing out the album out is the song "Ashes, Ruins, Forward Sails" which is a 4:18 long instrumental. Usually I'm not huge into instrumentals closing out a hardcore type record but this shit really showcases the band's ability to write something other than dope hardcore.
I'm sure there are a lot of people that can appreciate what these guys are touching on in their lyrics. "Myths of the American Meritocracy Pt.1" is one of the most earnest songs I've heard lately:
"I know I exhibit telltale signs of [a] pretentious activist. My privilege accords me the chance to whine and scream. Of course I recognize the irony of complaining when I'm in contrast free. At least I acknowledge my status as [a] white male member of the middle class. The differences that you just can't see is in your apathy as a member of the modern gentry who chooses to believe your affluent life is guilt free, your lack of concern typical, our selfishness it is a myth. Egoists could not live with egoists."
Other good themes include a song about anarchy ("Awakenings"), a song speaking out against the sheep like mentality of religious followers ("Cog In The Casual Machinery"), a song speaking about how far we've come in terms of equal rights for women yet we still have so much more to do ("Horizon") and a vegan song that tells the listener to think about the pain an animal endures when they are slaughtered for food.
You can't go wrong by going to record at Atomic Studios because odds are you're shit will sound good. One of the most prevalent thing about this recording, to me anyway, is the guitar tone. It has a great overdrive tone that works perfectly with the bands blend of hardcore/thrash. The drums sound crisp and on point. I can't forget about the bass because the tone is awesome and has all the presence you could ask for. Superb placement on the vocals as well. To top it off these guys got this album mastered by Bill Henderson over at Azimuth Mastering.
This label has done a good job thus far putting out good looking records (Lighten Up! is a good example) and this one is no different. The four panel booklet is printed on quality gloss and the yellow used throughout the majority of the layout is eye catching. The design on the front cover looks fucking magnificent. How the designer incorporated the skulls into the butterflies body was a really nice touch. One of the things that stood out to me the most with the layout was how after each set of lyrics there is suggested readings that pertain to the lyrics at hand. I also really liked how the band used quotes from various books that speak on anarchy. And another awesome thing about this layout is the font used, simple but unique.
Rating: 3.7/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Horizons and Illusions of Michael
Synopsis: This is an extremely solid album and I definitely recommend this, especially to those of you who like their bands socially aware (or vegan too). These guys are intelligent and can write some pretty damn good licks. Considering this album looks so good, I would also suggest to those of you who like vinyl to pick up the 10" version of this album.
Like always, check out songs jams over at the band's MySpace page, if you like what you hear head over to Braindrain's for ordering information.