xemptyvessel
05/28/09, 08:14 PM
Disarming Arctica - We’re Always Watching You
Record Label: Self-Released
Released Date: May 19, 2009
The name Disarming Arctica stuck with me as I left a show a couple of months back. This talented, 5-piece from Long Island, NY, had an energetic stage presence and total control over their instruments. When I found out that Disarming Arctica had put out an EP entitled We’re Always Watching You, I was eager to review it.
We’re Always Watching You opens with a spacey digital pulse that beckons you, then crashes in and brings you to the forefront of the bands sound. Immediately, the pace picks up and the song seems to change direction. “Marie Antoinette” opens with layered vocals. Towards the end of the song, it changes direction again into a very heavy outro where the guitars start to build up as quickly as they came in, and then they are out. My heart is racing a little and I’m still pumped for the next song.
Having listened through to the end, I understood how the band claims to float between genres, and that each song showcases the different possibilities Disarming Arctica would have to offer on a full-length. Their formula seems to be that they combine catchy vocals over heavy rhythms with intricate guitar work. While that formula seems to hold true, all six songs have their own distinct flavor.
The chanting “I heard her whispering/fire walk with me” in “The Great Northern” isn’t your typical gang vocals -- they are structured and create a poignant moment in the song. Throughout the EP, Disarming Arctica uses subtle touches of electronic undertones, however these effects get a little heavy handed in “Surveillance” and are unnecessary for me. The next two songs, “Motives” and “Wake Up Now”, would be the more poppy songs. Both of these songs feature probably the strongest and catchiest choruses on the CD. The end of “Wake Up Now” closes with a breakdown that is reminiscent of Saosin -- immediately, I remember the band performing this song live.
The song that stood out to me the most was the closing song. “The Signal” captures Disarming Arctica’s versatility; it is heavy and pulsing, yet spacey. Hints of piano lend to this effect. The band's creativity and departure from the normal post-hardcore scene is most evident in this song. This is very different from what I’ve been hearing lately, and that was enough to hook me.
Disarming Arctica’s lyrics are slightly mysterious and seemingly unrelated. They are much more a work of individual storytelling versus being derived from personal experience. The music is what provides the cohesive backdrop that carries you full circle from the pulsing guitars and escalating drums to a sense of closure in “The Signal.”
Noting that Disarming Arctica has self-produced this EP, it really makes me wonder what they would sound like with real production. In my opinion, this recording does not live up to their live show, but they have shown they are capable of blurring the lines between genres with their unique sound. I may even dare to call them a breath of fresh air in a scene that is becoming increasingly stale these days.
Post-Hardcore; Thursday, Saosin, Hopesfall, Thrice, TREOS
http://www.myspace.com/disarmingarctica
Record Label: Self-Released
Released Date: May 19, 2009
The name Disarming Arctica stuck with me as I left a show a couple of months back. This talented, 5-piece from Long Island, NY, had an energetic stage presence and total control over their instruments. When I found out that Disarming Arctica had put out an EP entitled We’re Always Watching You, I was eager to review it.
We’re Always Watching You opens with a spacey digital pulse that beckons you, then crashes in and brings you to the forefront of the bands sound. Immediately, the pace picks up and the song seems to change direction. “Marie Antoinette” opens with layered vocals. Towards the end of the song, it changes direction again into a very heavy outro where the guitars start to build up as quickly as they came in, and then they are out. My heart is racing a little and I’m still pumped for the next song.
Having listened through to the end, I understood how the band claims to float between genres, and that each song showcases the different possibilities Disarming Arctica would have to offer on a full-length. Their formula seems to be that they combine catchy vocals over heavy rhythms with intricate guitar work. While that formula seems to hold true, all six songs have their own distinct flavor.
The chanting “I heard her whispering/fire walk with me” in “The Great Northern” isn’t your typical gang vocals -- they are structured and create a poignant moment in the song. Throughout the EP, Disarming Arctica uses subtle touches of electronic undertones, however these effects get a little heavy handed in “Surveillance” and are unnecessary for me. The next two songs, “Motives” and “Wake Up Now”, would be the more poppy songs. Both of these songs feature probably the strongest and catchiest choruses on the CD. The end of “Wake Up Now” closes with a breakdown that is reminiscent of Saosin -- immediately, I remember the band performing this song live.
The song that stood out to me the most was the closing song. “The Signal” captures Disarming Arctica’s versatility; it is heavy and pulsing, yet spacey. Hints of piano lend to this effect. The band's creativity and departure from the normal post-hardcore scene is most evident in this song. This is very different from what I’ve been hearing lately, and that was enough to hook me.
Disarming Arctica’s lyrics are slightly mysterious and seemingly unrelated. They are much more a work of individual storytelling versus being derived from personal experience. The music is what provides the cohesive backdrop that carries you full circle from the pulsing guitars and escalating drums to a sense of closure in “The Signal.”
Noting that Disarming Arctica has self-produced this EP, it really makes me wonder what they would sound like with real production. In my opinion, this recording does not live up to their live show, but they have shown they are capable of blurring the lines between genres with their unique sound. I may even dare to call them a breath of fresh air in a scene that is becoming increasingly stale these days.
Post-Hardcore; Thursday, Saosin, Hopesfall, Thrice, TREOS
http://www.myspace.com/disarmingarctica