I've been a fan of Another Breath since they released "Not Now, Not Ever" in 2004, the first time i heard it i was thoroughly impressed with the sound this band produced, really thick guitars and furious vocals, melodic but with enough edge that it doesn't get boring. I remember making a copy of this for the car just after i heard it for the first time, on the ensuing drive i must have listened to it 5 or 6 times, it seemed like i would start at track one and track eight would be over before i could really appreciate what i had just heard.
Since then I've made listening to this record a regular occurrence. I've since gained more of an appreciation for the lyrical content of this record, it's very straight forward, almost harsh but with a sincerity that comes across infinitely better than the number of bands who attempt to play a style of hardcore similar to this. The lyrics are introspective, but they aren't written so obscurely that there is absolutely no way you can relate to them, they're written in a way that seems to focus more on the personal effects of social or political forces. I've always been someone who looks first to the macro level rather than the micro, for good or bad, its always something I've done when attempting to address problems whether big or small. That's not to say that individual responsibility is lost and it certainly isn't in the mind of the singer as is evident is Clio, perhaps the best song on the record.
The song Rotting is probably my favorite lyrics wise, it deals with the struggles of unrealistic expectations based on appearance and superficial means as the first half of the song demonstrates; "Contingencies. You have no choice in this. We're brought into a world where judgment's made on face value. Desperation turned inward and another face frozen in time with disregard for substance. Billboard girls your smile looks so fake, the rain, your only tears, your eyes are dripping black. A false appearance. A brainwashing. Perfection unattainable. Image destroys the female youth." Another lyrical highlight comes in "Truth In Television" when the words; "You won't find any answers if you're looking away to The person that you wish you could be. I can't justify hiding behind masquerade. Reminding yourself that who you are doesn't matter at all," ring out to end the album.
Musically Another Breath play a style reminiscent of melodic youth crew with a heavy modern hardcore sound, similar to Go It Alone or Blue Monday. This record is well worth checking out if you haven't already, the only complaint i have was that it took a long time to place the lyrics within the songs, the singer's scream is somewhat indiscernible so at times you get lost, but overall it's a pretty futile detail especially if you take the time to let these songs grow on you.
Anyway, Pick this Record up at Rivalry Records
Currently Listening: Lagwagon - Hoss
3 comments:
Another Breath aren't my favorite band from the Rivalry catalog, but they did put out some pretty solid hardcore. I still don't own a copy of Not Now, Not Ever...just a copy that I had downloaded *hangs head in shame*.
So what happened with this band are they still together and is the follow up to No Now Not Ever better or different?
It's not my favourite band either, I also think of them as a bad version of Bane. But maybe I should actually give the band another chance
I've never really thought of the Bane comparison, i see where it comes from though.
"Mill City" was definitely a more complete record, the songs don't sound as good live as the stuff from Not Now, Not Ever though. I would recommend checking it out with a lyric sheet in hand if you want to get more of a feel for this band.
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