the andyspecial
09/06/09, 11:20 AM
Burden Of a Day - Oneonethousand
Record Label: Rise Records
Release Date: May 12, 2009
The sinewy sound of Oneonethousand substantiates Burden Of a Day’s place in an already oversaturated Christian hardcore scene. The onset of the album is marked by a familiar lashing cadence a la In Fear and Faith that invites listeners to free themselves from their demons. Using formulaic attacks on the eardrum that show relentless fervor it is easy to predict the band's every move. Songs like “Rember”, “The Mason” and “Modern Gentlemen” are testament to the band’s textbook rhythmic and melodic talents, but they don’t expand the knowledge they have ascertained since their scene began to explode and the album subsequently validates the sterility of the band at this point.
Inability to stagger aggression and flow holds the record back from being a refreshing composite of hardcore. Instead, the bombardment begins to wear on the ear until the volatile mix reaches its end. There is no subtle nuance to delight the ear, no peaceful interlude to reset consciousness, no moment of grace to highlight Kyle Tamosatis' crystalline vocals. To smith a true metal album does not require these composites, but the fashioning of each song appears to allude to a desire to apply such a juncture. To add salt to the wound, the lyrics are also amiss. Tracks like “The Shame in Shedding Wool” and “Sly Foxes” feature an attempt to convey an inspiring message, but are left muddled. Neither one-line mantra nor entire narrative can form the cohesive amalgamations of encouragement and enlightenment they are attempting.
Oneonethousand does, for many reasons, capture attention easily. If the listener manages to sidestep the cloying production and wandering itinerary there is a touch of brilliance that has been manufactured. Sparse vocal hooks atop pulsating rhythms are a standard in the archetype that Burden Of a Day subscribes to, and they are accomplished with a polished trademark. Driving beats and staccato guitar riffs do well not to exacerbate the record. Layering and the recording thereof, thanks to producer Andrew Wade (In Fear and Faith, A Day To Remember), sets an affecting backdrop. Unfortunately, the confused lyrics rupture the emotive balance and distress the album as a whole.
At first listen it is easy to be drawn into this album, the blueprint is seemingly well drawn. With such a poignant form of music it is hard not to capture attention, if only for a minute. For all of the hard work and good intentions wound up in this album, I feel like it is an indignity for me to want to set it to the side and rekindle my affection with Define the Great Line to inspire hope for the genre.
01. Remember
02. Fool Me Once
03. The Mason
04. Oceans
05. The Shame In Shedding Wool
06. Sly Foxes
07. Isadora Duncan
08. Oneonethousand
09. Modern Gentlemen
10. My Forefeit
In Fear and Faith; Emarosa; Drop Dead, Gorgeous
myspace.com/burdenofaday (http://www.myspace.com/burdenofaday)
Record Label: Rise Records
Release Date: May 12, 2009
The sinewy sound of Oneonethousand substantiates Burden Of a Day’s place in an already oversaturated Christian hardcore scene. The onset of the album is marked by a familiar lashing cadence a la In Fear and Faith that invites listeners to free themselves from their demons. Using formulaic attacks on the eardrum that show relentless fervor it is easy to predict the band's every move. Songs like “Rember”, “The Mason” and “Modern Gentlemen” are testament to the band’s textbook rhythmic and melodic talents, but they don’t expand the knowledge they have ascertained since their scene began to explode and the album subsequently validates the sterility of the band at this point.
Inability to stagger aggression and flow holds the record back from being a refreshing composite of hardcore. Instead, the bombardment begins to wear on the ear until the volatile mix reaches its end. There is no subtle nuance to delight the ear, no peaceful interlude to reset consciousness, no moment of grace to highlight Kyle Tamosatis' crystalline vocals. To smith a true metal album does not require these composites, but the fashioning of each song appears to allude to a desire to apply such a juncture. To add salt to the wound, the lyrics are also amiss. Tracks like “The Shame in Shedding Wool” and “Sly Foxes” feature an attempt to convey an inspiring message, but are left muddled. Neither one-line mantra nor entire narrative can form the cohesive amalgamations of encouragement and enlightenment they are attempting.
Oneonethousand does, for many reasons, capture attention easily. If the listener manages to sidestep the cloying production and wandering itinerary there is a touch of brilliance that has been manufactured. Sparse vocal hooks atop pulsating rhythms are a standard in the archetype that Burden Of a Day subscribes to, and they are accomplished with a polished trademark. Driving beats and staccato guitar riffs do well not to exacerbate the record. Layering and the recording thereof, thanks to producer Andrew Wade (In Fear and Faith, A Day To Remember), sets an affecting backdrop. Unfortunately, the confused lyrics rupture the emotive balance and distress the album as a whole.
At first listen it is easy to be drawn into this album, the blueprint is seemingly well drawn. With such a poignant form of music it is hard not to capture attention, if only for a minute. For all of the hard work and good intentions wound up in this album, I feel like it is an indignity for me to want to set it to the side and rekindle my affection with Define the Great Line to inspire hope for the genre.
01. Remember
02. Fool Me Once
03. The Mason
04. Oceans
05. The Shame In Shedding Wool
06. Sly Foxes
07. Isadora Duncan
08. Oneonethousand
09. Modern Gentlemen
10. My Forefeit
In Fear and Faith; Emarosa; Drop Dead, Gorgeous
myspace.com/burdenofaday (http://www.myspace.com/burdenofaday)