Bled, The - Silent Treatment

[Drew Beringer]

The Bled – Silent Treatment
Release Date: September 25, 2007
Record Label: Vagrant

Sometimes when you’re pissed off at someone, you’ll counter with no talking, interacting, or socializing with the one who angered you. So it comes as no surprise that The Bled’s third album, second for Vagrant, is titled Silent Treatment. For starters, the Tucson, Arizona quintet would like to silence their critics, whom criticized 2005’s Found In The Flood (including this very reviewer, who wishes that the majority of that album would have been left in the flood). Secondly, we find The Bled more pissed off than ever. Produced by Brian McTernan (Thrice, Circa Survive, Moneen), a better fit for the band than Mark Trombino was, Silent Treatment is an eleven track beat down.

Just for the record, I didn’t completely hate Found In The Flood. It definitely had its moments, but for the most part it just dragged on and on for too long. And, just for the record, I adore Pass The Flask. So I was a bit apprehensive with this album when I received it in the mail. Was I going to get the same droning sound from Flood, or would The Bled be the comeback kids and kick my ass? Thankfully, after just a few seconds of the opener, “Shadetree Mechanics,” I had my answer. James Munoz sounds like a man possessed, as his vocals absolutely kill throughout the album.

“You Should Be Ashamed Of Myself” is straight up intensity, as it is one of the many songs on the album that rediscover the sound found on Pass The Flask. “Asleep On The Frontlines” channels the eerie vibe found on Flood, as moody and atmospheric guitar tones and drum work circle around Munoz’s calm singing. It’s only till halfway through the track that The Bled knock you on your ass.

Of course, there are a few flaws. Some of the breakdowns seem tired and recyclable, while some of the tracks can blend together. But, this does not overshadow the fact that The Bled are back to their old ways, heard on tracks like “Starving Artiste,” which amps up the brutality, while “The Silver Lining” will leave you gasping for breath. The final two tracks will bring enormous smiles to all Bled fans, as everything you love from the band’s previous work is wonderfully put on display in spectacular form. “Beheaded My Way” is full of attitude and aggression, it’ll make you forget about the duds on Flood, while “My Bitter Half” will leave you begging for more, especially after the insane and frantic final minute of the track, in which the band gives your years one more fatal blow.

All I wanted to hear from The Bled was an improvement from Found In The Flood, and I definitely got that and beyond. Silent Treatment is sure to be a hit with those who acclaimed Pass The Flask, as this album hits hard and flows with the same intensity found on that album. Sure, The Bled aren’t reinventing the metalcore wheel, but they definitely perform better than the majority of there today, as the band have proved on this album, which is anything but Silent.

Track Listing:
1. "Shadetree Mechanics" - 3.17
2. "You Should Be Ashamed Of Myself" - 2.35
3. "Threes Away" - 4.09
4. "Asleep On The Frontlines" - 5.35
5. "Platonic Sleepover Massacre" - 1.06
6. "Starving Artiste" - 2.36
7. "The Silver Lining" - 2.18
8. "Some Just Vanish" - 2.54
9. "Breathing Room Barricades" - 5.00
10. "Beheaded My Way" - 3.13
11. "My Bitter Half" - 3.23
Produced by: Brian McTernan

The Bled are:
James Muñoz - vocals
Ross Ott - guitar
Darren Simoes - bass guitar
Mike Pedicone - drums
Jeremy Ray Talley - guitar

Official Website (http://www.thebledsite.com); Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thebled)

[lew_1987]

i agree with ben, i think their last album is really good.

[namembal]

Love the album! I think this is gonna be in my top 10 this year.

[youcomebeforeyo]

Definately think this album is better than a 80%. Can't understand how you can dig PTK over FIAF. I find Found so much more well written and intelligent. This CD is fantastic. Asleep on the Frontlines is one of my songs for 07.

[x335x]

i saw them live in a dirt pit in the pouring rain. very cool.

[genericmadness]

this album is so damn good, i'd give it 86%

[neverender2113]

"This is an average album and a real step back for the band."

i could not completely disagree with you more.

[myworstmistakes]

so excited to pick this up today! PTK is one of my favorite albums, but i do like FITF as well so i know this album is gonna be solid.

[Zeran]

this is much much better than found in the flood, which did have its moments, but overall was disappointing. glad to see the bled are back.

[Tom Good]

I absolutely hated FITF. Pass The Flask was amazing. I don't know, I just couldn't get into FITF, I respect people who do and I can totally see where you are coming from, I just didn't like the album nearly as much as Pass The Flask. This album is pretty good though. I really enjoy some songs and it's good to see the band back on track. Awesome review Drew.

[Silver Bullets]

Definately think this album is better than a 80%.

pretty good album... i'd say over 80% too, though

[last light]

good review and fairly accurate score. this is the best "scene" metalcore band out, period. i think this is a huge step back from where they were going on found in the flood, but it still has some good tracks.

[rob2004]

Definately think this album is better than a 80%. Can't understand how you can dig PTK over FIAF. I find Found so much more well written and intelligent. This CD is fantastic. Asleep on the Frontlines is one of my songs for 07

so excited to pick this up today! PTK is one of my favorite albums, but i do like FITF as well so i know this album is gonna be solid.

PTK? 2 People calling the same album PTK, and not PTF. Is there something I'm not getting

[boykosaurus]

awesome band, awesome review, sounds promising...picking it up as soon as possible

[Winnie the Pooh]

Huge step back for the band from FITF, but still listenable.

[eVuLPeNGuiN]

I still this Pass was their best album, with Silent treatment coming in second.

[xXrunninglateXx]

I find Found so much more well written and intelligent

FITF is the bands best work. It's got so much going on, much more experimental and intelligent but still hard hitting is places.

This is an average album and a real step back for the band

Wow, and I thought just about EVERYONE picked Flood over Flask? I personally don't bother comparing the albums because Flask is so raw and brutal and I love it for that. On the other hand, Flood is full of peaks and valleys and I love that variation. Silent is a great mix of those two opposing sides but overall lacks something the other two albums had. It's still better than 90% of what is going on in their genre.

[hXc_pwnage]

Much better than Found in the Flood.

[hXc_pwnage]

Asleep On The Frontlines is a great track.

[ImAsian5]

good review.. i didnt like found in the flood either, but this one sounds much better

[love_american_style]

my next purchase.

[Ruggiero2oo8]

good review.

[James to Feel]

good review and fairly accurate score. this is the best "scene" metalcore band out, period. i think this is a huge step back from where they were going on found in the flood, but it still has some good tracks.

these guys are pretty un-scene....

I personally think this cd is their best for a few reasons. One, PTF was underdeveloped and the drum editing ala Saosin really hurt the record for me.. It sounded like a drum machine..

FITF was a sick record and quite an artistic departure, one where they really matured musically and the it was musically and emotionally deeper..

This record is the best of both records styles and is even more refined. Plus, the production is top notch and the rythmn section has gotten to be much more of a solid unit.

I'd give this record at least an 85-90%
These guys killed it.

[hollowed_eyes]

Soo ballsy.

[schaft]

Just got this the other day and haven't had a chance to listen to it all the way through yet. The opening track was sounding very promising. I could already tell my choice of Bled albums would go in this order:

PTF > ST > FITF

[DGlazier]

Definately think this album is better than a 80%. Can't understand how you can dig PTK over FIAF. I find Found so much more well written and intelligent. This CD is fantastic. Asleep on the Frontlines is one of my songs for 07.

WHAT?!?!?! How could you say that? and Brian mcTurnana over-produces his cd's? You guys need to start getting smart, or more like Drew here. God...

[DGlazier]

WHAT?!?!?! How could you say that? and Brian mcTurnana over-produces his cd's? You guys need to start getting smart, or more like Drew here. God...

McTurnan*

[onsundayshoes]

its very rare you see a band pull what the bled have pulled, going from hardcore, to trying to "mature" with singing, to going back to hardcore with maturity. i am really happy with silent treatment.

[dostoevsky]

I've loved everything they've done, even pre-munoz. All of their albums have been great and the only negative thing I could say about any of them is that I didn't like the production on FITF.

I think it's pretty awesome how most people are diggin' the new album after only a few listenings through a myspace stream, it's gonna grow on people a whole lot more. I can't wait to blast this on my stereo.

[brooklynburning]

PTK? 2 People calling the same album PTK, and not PTF. Is there something I'm not getting

hahhahaha.

[InaGreendase]

I'd put all their albums about the same level. They're all very clever and well-thought out for their genre, but always just on the brink of greatness.

This one's a lot more technical and often heavier than their other stuff, with Flood's melodic moments taken into even weirder, but much less Radiohead-esque territory. That's really all you need to know.

McTurnan*

LOL.

[shoop]

Man... I definately think this album deserves at LEAST a 90% overall. Very amazing album, and it definately has its creative moments if not all the way through. Then again, this review is based on 1 persons opinion.. here at ap.. so I wont get my panties in a bunch. GREAT fucking album guys! Fitf wasnt bad in my harder stoner days.. But obviously this album tops that like whooa.

[James to Feel]

McTurnan*

Mcternan*

[screamoutmyname]

i think that they have remained strong through every release.

except "nervous breakdown" from the Masters of Horror CD... I'm not a huge fan.

[terrycw89]

I enjoyed FITF, but I think I am enjoying ST a bit more.

[lauren<3s music]

"“The Silver Lining” will leave you gasping for breath."

So true. Great review Drew and really good cd. nice to have them back.

[Co and Ca]

I'm stuck in the middle about getting this or the New Amsterdams.

[underdawg87]

just a question, but on the last track (on the actual cd not a stream) is it supposed to have that scratching noise...as if it were a record? because the noise isnt really apparent at all on the myspace stream or downloaded versions

[MikeyEdge FL]

such a solid release.

[Alex Djaferis]

i love the new album -

[CrenshawPunch]

its very rare you see a band pull what the bled have pulled, going from hardcore, to trying to "mature" with singing, to going back to hardcore with maturity. i am really happy with silent treatment.

The bled don't play hardcore music. This cd is them being honest with themsleves and what they like to play. I like it.

[KarolaBloch]

I think I'll listen to Pass the Flask now and be taken back.

[Goat01]

Amazing record. I have two copies.

[Daniel Thompson]

one of the best albums of the year
in my opinion, of course

[hXc_pwnage]

The melodic parts are so much better on this cd than the last.

[cahrishurr]

Got it today and it was so awesome to know The Bled is back doing what they do best. Dont get me wrong I do like FITF but PTF is one of my all time favs and this is a great sequel to it.

[LilRyan732]

its very rare you see a band pull what the bled have pulled, going from hardcore, to trying to "mature" with singing, to going back to hardcore with maturity. i am really happy with silent treatment.


See, this pretty much sums up my thoughts exactly. Most bands that try to "mature" dont get it and end up "maturing" into some shitty convoluted mess (Hopesfall much?)

[genericmadness]

Mcternan*


Mctiernan*

nah not really, but it would be amazingly funny if you did screw it up

[youcomebeforeyo]

good review and fairly accurate score. this is the best "scene" metalcore band out, period. i think this is a huge step back from where they were going on found in the flood, but it still has some good tracks.

?!?

This is exactly the progression of where they were going on Found in the Flood!

[last light]

?!?

This is exactly the progression of where they were going on Found in the Flood!

How do you figure? Found in the Flood actually showed progression, Silent Treatment reverts back to boring metalcore. They don't have interesting time sigs anymore. They don't have interesting melodic parts anymore. They put out an album full of boring, cliche, breakdowns and awful clean singing choruses. That is not a progression in my mind.

Silent Treatment is better than a lot of the metalcore coming out these days, but this genre is stale and The Bled really did nothing to stop that on this release.

[Zeran]

"interesting" is one way to put the melodic parts in found in the flood. a lot of james' singing on that album was just terrible and brought the cd down a lot. it's better, much better, the way he does it on silent treatment and pass the flask

[DGlazier]

I'd put all their albums about the same level. They're all very clever and well-thought out for their genre, but always just on the brink of greatness.

This one's a lot more technical and often heavier than their other stuff, with Flood's melodic moments taken into even weirder, but much less Radiohead-esque territory. That's really all you need to know.



LOL.

Every day, I find a reason why jason tate may want to running, screaming into the sunset. I just got attacked for trying to correct myself. and even if I hadnt, someone would have still nailed me for mispelling it in the first place.

[onsundayshoes]

The bled don't play hardcore music. This cd is them being honest with themsleves and what they like to play. I like it.

yes, they are honest with themselves and playing what they like..... which is hardcore. its not an insult ot be a hardcore band, its a good thing.

[CrenshawPunch]

yes, they are honest with themselves and playing what they like..... which is hardcore. its not an insult ot be a hardcore band, its a good thing.


No, you do not understand what hardcore is. The bled play metalcore. Like Norma Jean.

[onsundayshoes]

No, you do not understand what hardcore is. The bled play metalcore. Like Norma Jean.

haha, you really want to argue over genre names like fourth grades? the point is the same. they reverted back to their original style and realized maturity has nothing to do with becoming more "user-friendly." i am really pleased with silent treatment, as i said the first time i commented in this thread. you're arguing with me over nothing.

http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/waaaambulance-23284.jpg

[idledoeskill]

Love this album! This along with ETID and BTBAM made my year!

[CrenshawPunch]

haha, you really want to argue over genre names like fourth grades? the point is the same. they reverted back to their original style and realized maturity has nothing to do with becoming more "user-friendly." i am really pleased with silent treatment, as i said the first time i commented in this thread. you're arguing with me over nothing.

http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/waaaambulance-23284.jpg


Cool Bro. You think the Bled is hardcore. I wasn't arguing. I was pointing out how stupid you are.

[onsundayshoes]

thats cute. enjoy your metalnoisethrashpowerviolencebroxco re. they play hard music! yes!

[rrbrambley]

my god this album rocks. i have been playing it over and over and over and over. yes, i liked pass the flask more than found in the flood... found in the flood did not suck though, but i definitely did have those few songs that i just always skipped. but this one rocks like whoa. my favorites are breathing room barricades, asleep on the frontlines, and platonic sleepover massacre.