Breathe Carolina - Hello Fascination

[lemontie]

Breathe Carolina - Hello Fascination
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: August 18, 2009

I am a guilty person. I'm not sure why, but I find myself listening to these kind of bands. I have a secret love for Watchout! There's Ghosts. Breathe Carolina, however, hasn't struck note with me. It's Classy, Not Classic was something I just didn't, couldn't like. But the secret little person inside me told me to listen to this album, and so I did. And I come with news! It's not a terrible album.

Granted, this doesn't mean it's close to "Album of the Year." It's far from that, but anyone who was hoping that this new album wasn't going to be Brokencyde garbage should be happily surprised. The title track, "Hello Fascination," is probably the most easily accessible song. The song starts out with a decent beat with a guitar riff in the background. No joke, guitar. It's not complex or mind blowing, but you'll hear it through the song at the very least, which is better than auto-tuning the hell out of voices (which they actually don't seem to do terribly much of on this album, but it's still evident). But then again, what's a good electroscream song without some auto-tune?

Most people are probably not looking for this album to reinvent a genre and make people want to listen to it, and those people are right. This album isn't a perfect genre re-inventor. There are bundles of trash in this album, like it's the clear post-hardcore attempt of "Tripped and Fell in Portland," which is complete with drums, guitar, bass, and lots of screams, but when Kyle's auto-tuned voice breaks in sometimes, it ruins the feel, and added with the synth, it really feels like Breathe Carolina decided to go from post-hardcore to Miley Cyrus pop then combine it together to become something else altogether. There's obnoxious songs like "Take Me to Infinity" that sound almost so over-tuned that it feels like I'm listening to Kanye West.

I don't think anyone was expecting these guys to write some mindblowing and meaningful lyrics. But I find myself too engrossed in the beat to even care. There are songs that do seem to stand out, though. "Velvet" has a really oddly catchy beat that reminds me of something I can't quite put my finger on, but it ends up in a really upbeat, yet oddly enjoyable song with really, well, sexy undertones. "Hello Fascination" is a song that's surprisingly easy to at least enjoy, to some degree, with a very fast, poppy feel and some catchy lyrics. Most people will bash this album, but it's a bashing that's almost acceptable. This album isn't the greatest album of 2009, but it's not the worst. It has some beats and songs that are good for a quick, guilty listen. And that's why it will be playing on my iPod for a while.

That, and I have those secret loves for these kind of bands.

giving bands a chance; Watchout! There's Ghosts, if you didn't like It's Classy, Not Classic; neon

[Jeremy Aaron]

I find it troubling that anyone would use the word "post-hardcore" to describe this band.

[iamnuwave]

i don't give a shit. Music and entertainment in general is all relative.

(PS. Before i go on, I actually like Breathe Carolina alot, but I myself can't get into Watchout There Ghost)

But anyway, i fuckin loved this album. I'm actually impressed by Tripped and Fell In Portland. Even though that's probably as generic as you can get with that sound, (i don't know i only listen to Electro/House/Dance etc), but it's starting to get me more interested in how real Post-Hardcore bands do it.

Take Me To Infinity, not only reminds me of Kanye (just a little), but actually surprise DAFT PUNK! And that's why i like it, not because it sounds like something, but because they've acheived that affect (IN MY EYES) to get that vibe.

The ones i really liked were, Hello Fascination, Take Me To Infinity. I.D.G.A.F, The Dressing Room, Tripped and Fell In Portland, and My Obsession, and Rescue.

Why does everyone like Velvet, i think that song is the worst song they've done lolol and i'm a fan. But overall i like it.

[lemontie]

I find it troubling that anyone would use the word "post-hardcore" to describe this band.
I agree with that, but it's seriously the sound they were trying to pull off. Or at least, that's how it seemed to me. I'm not sure what else I could call it.

[Handraa]

I agree with that, but it's seriously the sound they were trying to pull off. Or at least, that's how it seemed to me. I'm not sure what else I could call it.
I agree with that statement.

[Dymytry Vance]

But then again, what's a good electroscream song without some auto-tune?
A sub-decent electroscream song without auto-tune. Which is 3 steps above where it is with the autotune.

[Dymytry Vance]

i don't give a shit. Music and entertainment in general is all relative.

(PS. Before i go on, I actually like Breathe Carolina alot, but I myself can't get into Watchout There Ghost)

But anyway, i fuckin loved this album. I'm actually impressed by Tripped and Fell In Portland. Even though that's probably as generic as you can get with that sound, (i don't know i only listen to Electro/House/Dance etc), but it's starting to get me more interested in how real Post-Hardcore bands do it.

Take Me To Infinity, not only reminds me of Kanye (just a little), but actually surprise DAFT PUNK! And that's why i like it, not because it sounds like something, but because they've acheived that affect (IN MY EYES) to get that vibe.

The ones i really liked were, Hello Fascination, Take Me To Infinity. I.D.G.A.F, The Dressing Room, Tripped and Fell In Portland, and My Obsession, and Rescue.

Why does everyone like Velvet, i think that song is the worst song they've done lolol and i'm a fan. But overall i like it.
This is not real post-hardcore. Listen to Hands, Great Commission, For Today... etc.

[Dymytry Vance]

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
Oooohhh 1ND13 CR3D!

[more heart]

This is not real post-hardcore. Listen to Hands, Great Commission, For Today... etc.
For Today and The Great Comission aren't post-hardcore either so I don't think you should be talking as if you know the genre.

I'm just going to come out and say this: Sometimes you just have to listen to things for what they are and for what Breathe Carolina and their record are, it's not so bad. Sure they use far too much auto-tune than anybody should(though there are far worse abusers) and the screaming is just thrown in there, but it's really not all that bad.

[lemontie]

For Today and The Great Comission aren't post-hardcore either so I don't think you should be talking as if you know the genre.

I'm just going to come out and say this: Sometimes you just have to listen to things for what they are and for what Breathe Carolina and their record are, it's not so bad. Sure they use far too much auto-tune than anybody should(though there are far worse abusers) and the screaming is just thrown in there, but it's really not all that bad.
This is probably why I like the genre to a certain extent.

[more heart]

This is probably why I like the genre to a certain extent.
As do I. I have a soft spot for these guys and And Then There Were None. Otherwise there are some pretty terrible bands(Watchout! There's Ghosts) out there.

[Klatzke]

Oooohhh 1ND13 CR3D!
Don't copy me.

[Dymytry Vance]

Don't copy me.
no.

[Dymytry Vance]

For Today and The Great Comission aren't post-hardcore either so I don't think you should be talking as if you know the genre.

I'm just going to come out and say this: Sometimes you just have to listen to things for what they are and for what Breathe Carolina and their record are, it's not so bad. Sure they use far too much auto-tune than anybody should(though there are far worse abusers) and the screaming is just thrown in there, but it's really not all that bad.
i think i can consider them p.h. if sksk can be...

[more heart]

i think i can consider them p.h. if sksk can be...
No, you can't. For Today is straight up metalcore and The Great Comission is more along the lines of deathcore. Not really close to post-hardcore.

[handlikesecret]

Oooohhh 1ND13 CR3D!
now now, don't lose your temper.

[Dymytry Vance]

No, you can't. For Today is straight up metalcore and The Great Comission is more along the lines of deathcore. Not really close to post-hardcore.
Whatever. What about, Hot Cross, Blood Brothers, andddd.... early FBTMOF.

[Dymytry Vance]

now now, don't lose your temper.
Grawwwrrrrrrruicallllcryyaaaaiiiiii eeeeeoooooooo

[Klatzke]

now now, don't lose your temper.
Don't worry, he copied that from me.

[Nick Le]

i think i can consider them p.h. if sksk can be...
sksk maybe, but for today and the great commission are nothing near post hardcore.

[Trashcore]

Whatever. What about, Hot Cross, Blood Brothers, andddd.... early FBTMOF.
I had trouble reading anything after you admitted to enjoying W!TG. What redeemable factor do you find in them? Between jordans terrible screaming and annoying singing, and josh' mundane guitar playing, I can't find anything enjoyable. They aren't even that catchy. It's obvious they're trying their damndest to fit into that catchy genre, but they fall about a football field short.

[Beej 347]

i love this cd, it's at least baby steps in the right directions for them

[npmshah]

While i agree with your opinion on this album, i couldnt really get into your writing style. It seemed so informal. You used personal pronouns without a clear reason, mainly.

[lemontie]

I had trouble reading anything after you admitted to enjoying W!TG. What redeemable factor do you find in them? Between jordans terrible screaming and annoying singing, and josh' mundane guitar playing, I can't find anything enjoyable. They aren't even that catchy. It's obvious they're trying their damndest to fit into that catchy genre, but they fall about a football field short.

Jordan can't really hold a note (and I'm pretty sure Josh is the screamer, but I could be wrong) and they aren't super amazing, but I just find them better than Breathe Carolina, maybe because they were the first band in the genre that I actually liked. I can't be sure, for some reason. They just appealed to me in someway. It might be their lyrics.

While i agree with your opinion on this album, i couldnt really get into your writing style. It seemed so informal. You used personal pronouns without a clear reason, mainly.

I can work on that, but it's the most natural for me.

[Iwudstilldie4u]

While i agree with your opinion on this album, i couldnt really get into your writing style. It seemed so informal. You used personal pronouns without a clear reason, mainly.
My thoughts exactly. I'm glad you (lemontie) gave this album a fair review, but your writing could use work.

[npmshah]

Jordan can't really hold a note (and I'm pretty sure Josh is the screamer, but I could be wrong) and they aren't super amazing, but I just find them better than Breathe Carolina, maybe because they were the first band in the genre that I actually liked. I can't be sure, for some reason. They just appealed to me in someway. It might be their lyrics.



I can work on that, but it's the most natural for me.
that's good. Try to break out of your natural habit. Avoid use of personal pronouns unless you are sharing a personal anecdote that ties into the review (example: cleverly comparing the album to a personal experience of yours).

[lemontie]

Thanks for the criticism. I appreciate it.

[denissuxx]

A joke.

[foolishdrew]

Thank you for actually writing a legitimate review of this album instead of just bashing it.

[Dymytry Vance]

I had trouble reading anything after you admitted to enjoying W!TG. What redeemable factor do you find in them? Between jordans terrible screaming and annoying singing, and josh' mundane guitar playing, I can't find anything enjoyable. They aren't even that catchy. It's obvious they're trying their damndest to fit into that catchy genre, but they fall about a football field short.
I don't like W!TG. What the hell are you talking about?

[Trashcore]

I don't like W!TG. What the hell are you talking about?
I don't know why it quoted you. I definitely don't remember hitting the quote button. It was meant to the person who did the review.

[Dymytry Vance]

I don't know why it quoted you. I definitely don't remember hitting the quote button. It was meant to the person who did the review.
Oh, I was about to be like, WTF? wtf is your problem?

[Dymytry Vance]

now now, don't lose your temper.
This,

[Dymytry Vance]

sksk maybe, but for today and the great commission are nothing near post hardcore.
I know that, I love fucking with people on here.

[xjdizzle]

This band/joke fucking sucks. I liked Heavy heavy low low But at least they say they are a joke band.
Lay off the crack kids if you think this crap has any talent or merit behind it.

[archerboy]

I am completely the opposite with your Watchout! There's Ghosts and BC thing; I can't stand Watchout!, but the first BC album - while everyone hates it - I dug it for a while