Crossfade
03/20/10, 07:55 PM
Isles & Glaciers - The Hearts of Lonely People EP
Record Label: Equal Vision Records
Release Date: March 9, 2010
In case you aren't aware, Isles & Glaciers are a super-group containing members from post-hardcore bands Chiodos, Emarosa, Pierce the Veil, The Receiving End of Sirens, Cinematic Sunrise, and Underminded. Historically, super-groups have been notorious for being anything but super, (here's looking at you, Zwan and Velvet Revolver) largely due to big heads clashing over creative issues. These groups come and go fairly quickly, leaving disappointed fanboys in their egotistical wake. However, Isles & Glaciers appear to have dodged these common follies to release a decent post-hardcore EP.
The group boasts three of the most recognizable and talented vocalists on the scene: Craig Owens, Jonny Craig, and Vic Fuentes. I've been a fan of Jonny's for a while, as I find his lower register refreshing in a genre dominated by high-pitched, nasally vocalists. After being disappointed by his most recent solo record, I was expecting to see a return to form. I didn't. Jonny Craig's signature voice appears often, but is chronically unmemorable. I believe the only remedy for his recent malady is going to be to cut that god-awful ginger curly-faux-mullet, throw it in the trash, and focus fully on Emarosa's next album. Craig Owens and Vic Fuentes are the aforementioned high-pitched, nasally vocalists, and I haven't been a big fan of them. Fortunately though, Owens and Fuentes pick up the slack and carry this EP on their backs with controlled wails, emotional hooks, and well-placed screams that could easily be gimmicks if not handled well.
Lyrically, the EP isn't bad, but limited and clichéd topics like a love song with a morbid motif ("Cemetery Weather"), and dysfunctional love (every other track) keep it from being great. There are a couple of really low points, such as, "Now let me tell you how these steps go. Step one: tell me what have I done. Step two: you know you better believe. Step three: you'll never be like me so na-na-na-na-na-na-na-no no." which is sung by Jonny Craig in "Empty Sighs in Wine." But thankfully these moments are few and far-between.
As for the music, it's mostly suited to simply complement the vocalists. All tracks are dense and electronics-driven, often having so much going on that very few sections stand out, even though roughly one-fourth of the EP is instrumental. This is fairly disappointing considering the talents of the musicians, but is understandable as the focus of the group seems to be to highlight the talents of the people holding the microphones. "Clush," with its funky rhythm and distinct guitar parts is a step in the right direction, however.
The Hearts of Lonely People succeeds at what it attempts to do, and although it's far from super, it's a competent release that's worthy of a listen.
Pierce the Veil; Cinematic Sunrise; Broadway
myspace.com/islesandglaciers (http://www.myspace.com/islesandglaciers)
Record Label: Equal Vision Records
Release Date: March 9, 2010
In case you aren't aware, Isles & Glaciers are a super-group containing members from post-hardcore bands Chiodos, Emarosa, Pierce the Veil, The Receiving End of Sirens, Cinematic Sunrise, and Underminded. Historically, super-groups have been notorious for being anything but super, (here's looking at you, Zwan and Velvet Revolver) largely due to big heads clashing over creative issues. These groups come and go fairly quickly, leaving disappointed fanboys in their egotistical wake. However, Isles & Glaciers appear to have dodged these common follies to release a decent post-hardcore EP.
The group boasts three of the most recognizable and talented vocalists on the scene: Craig Owens, Jonny Craig, and Vic Fuentes. I've been a fan of Jonny's for a while, as I find his lower register refreshing in a genre dominated by high-pitched, nasally vocalists. After being disappointed by his most recent solo record, I was expecting to see a return to form. I didn't. Jonny Craig's signature voice appears often, but is chronically unmemorable. I believe the only remedy for his recent malady is going to be to cut that god-awful ginger curly-faux-mullet, throw it in the trash, and focus fully on Emarosa's next album. Craig Owens and Vic Fuentes are the aforementioned high-pitched, nasally vocalists, and I haven't been a big fan of them. Fortunately though, Owens and Fuentes pick up the slack and carry this EP on their backs with controlled wails, emotional hooks, and well-placed screams that could easily be gimmicks if not handled well.
Lyrically, the EP isn't bad, but limited and clichéd topics like a love song with a morbid motif ("Cemetery Weather"), and dysfunctional love (every other track) keep it from being great. There are a couple of really low points, such as, "Now let me tell you how these steps go. Step one: tell me what have I done. Step two: you know you better believe. Step three: you'll never be like me so na-na-na-na-na-na-na-no no." which is sung by Jonny Craig in "Empty Sighs in Wine." But thankfully these moments are few and far-between.
As for the music, it's mostly suited to simply complement the vocalists. All tracks are dense and electronics-driven, often having so much going on that very few sections stand out, even though roughly one-fourth of the EP is instrumental. This is fairly disappointing considering the talents of the musicians, but is understandable as the focus of the group seems to be to highlight the talents of the people holding the microphones. "Clush," with its funky rhythm and distinct guitar parts is a step in the right direction, however.
The Hearts of Lonely People succeeds at what it attempts to do, and although it's far from super, it's a competent release that's worthy of a listen.
Pierce the Veil; Cinematic Sunrise; Broadway
myspace.com/islesandglaciers (http://www.myspace.com/islesandglaciers)