Drew Beringer
08/04/09, 01:11 AM
Poison The Well – The Tropic Rot
Release Date: July 7, 2009
Record Label: Ferret
After a revival of sorts from their 2007 album, Versions, Poison The Well looks to expand on their new approach with their second Ferret Music album, The Tropic Rot. While the post-hardcore staples’ influence on the scene seem to get swept under the rug, that hasn’t stopped the band from releasing unforgiving music that continually progresses. The core three of the band remains – guitarist Ryan Primack, drummer Chris Hornbrook, and vocalist Jeffrey Moreira – and with the addition of bassist Bradley Grace and guitarist Brad Clifford, Poison The Well has set out to release their most ambitious record yet.
The vibe of The Tropic Rot is very similar to recent Thrice releases, such as The Alchemy Index. The parallels of the two bands are very close, as each band has tried the major label thing as well as continually trying to push the boundaries of their music. If you are a fan of Thrice’s newer stuff, yet have never listened to Poison The Well, this may be the album that gets you hooked. The Tropic Rot actually begins similar to Versions, as opening track, “Exist Underground” pummels itself through your membrane. Moreira’s transition between clean vocals and gruff yells is very smooth, while Hornbrook paces the track.
Over the years, PTW has dropped the breakdown all together from its repertoire; exchanging it for guitar leads that just barrel you over, as apparent in “Sparks It Will Rain.” Such an approach brings out a cohesiveness that was never heard on previous albums. Tracks like “Cinema” and “Makeshift Clay You” will ignite the pit, while “Who Doesn’t Love A Good Dismemberment” is one of the album highlights, transitioning from straight-forwardness right into chaos.
The Tropic Rot gets a little earthy with “When You Lose I Lose As Well,” a twangy foot-tapper that showcases Moreira’s clean vocals. The eerie “Without You And One Other I Am Nothing” closes the album with another fine melodic-chaotic effort, although the album relies a little too heavily on that formula.
The Tropic Rot focuses a lot on melodic side; specifically Moreira’s clean vocals. Moreira does a fine job, but recurring melodies drag it down a bit. And while the lyrical content isn’t as good as albums past, it’s still nothing to scoff at. Instead, Poison The Well continue to release relevant albums by never staying stagnant for long, as PTW continue to flex their creative muscles with The Tropic Rot.
Track Listing:
1. Exist Underground
2. Sparks It Will Rain
3. Cinema
4. Pamplemousse
5. Who Doesn’t Love A Good Dismemberment?
6. Antarctica Inside Me
7. When You Lose I Lose As Well
8. Celebrate The Pyre
9. Are You Anywhere
10. Makeshift Clay You
11. Without You and One Other I Am Nothing
Produced by: Steve Evetts
Poison The Well is:
Jeff Moreira – vocals
Ryan Primack – guitar
Chris Hornbrook – drums
Bradley Grace – bass
Brad Clifford – guitar
Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/poisonthewell); Official AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?l=3970)
Release Date: July 7, 2009
Record Label: Ferret
After a revival of sorts from their 2007 album, Versions, Poison The Well looks to expand on their new approach with their second Ferret Music album, The Tropic Rot. While the post-hardcore staples’ influence on the scene seem to get swept under the rug, that hasn’t stopped the band from releasing unforgiving music that continually progresses. The core three of the band remains – guitarist Ryan Primack, drummer Chris Hornbrook, and vocalist Jeffrey Moreira – and with the addition of bassist Bradley Grace and guitarist Brad Clifford, Poison The Well has set out to release their most ambitious record yet.
The vibe of The Tropic Rot is very similar to recent Thrice releases, such as The Alchemy Index. The parallels of the two bands are very close, as each band has tried the major label thing as well as continually trying to push the boundaries of their music. If you are a fan of Thrice’s newer stuff, yet have never listened to Poison The Well, this may be the album that gets you hooked. The Tropic Rot actually begins similar to Versions, as opening track, “Exist Underground” pummels itself through your membrane. Moreira’s transition between clean vocals and gruff yells is very smooth, while Hornbrook paces the track.
Over the years, PTW has dropped the breakdown all together from its repertoire; exchanging it for guitar leads that just barrel you over, as apparent in “Sparks It Will Rain.” Such an approach brings out a cohesiveness that was never heard on previous albums. Tracks like “Cinema” and “Makeshift Clay You” will ignite the pit, while “Who Doesn’t Love A Good Dismemberment” is one of the album highlights, transitioning from straight-forwardness right into chaos.
The Tropic Rot gets a little earthy with “When You Lose I Lose As Well,” a twangy foot-tapper that showcases Moreira’s clean vocals. The eerie “Without You And One Other I Am Nothing” closes the album with another fine melodic-chaotic effort, although the album relies a little too heavily on that formula.
The Tropic Rot focuses a lot on melodic side; specifically Moreira’s clean vocals. Moreira does a fine job, but recurring melodies drag it down a bit. And while the lyrical content isn’t as good as albums past, it’s still nothing to scoff at. Instead, Poison The Well continue to release relevant albums by never staying stagnant for long, as PTW continue to flex their creative muscles with The Tropic Rot.
Track Listing:
1. Exist Underground
2. Sparks It Will Rain
3. Cinema
4. Pamplemousse
5. Who Doesn’t Love A Good Dismemberment?
6. Antarctica Inside Me
7. When You Lose I Lose As Well
8. Celebrate The Pyre
9. Are You Anywhere
10. Makeshift Clay You
11. Without You and One Other I Am Nothing
Produced by: Steve Evetts
Poison The Well is:
Jeff Moreira – vocals
Ryan Primack – guitar
Chris Hornbrook – drums
Bradley Grace – bass
Brad Clifford – guitar
Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/poisonthewell); Official AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?l=3970)