Alesana - Where Myth Fades to Legend

[Drew Beringer]

Alesana – Where Myth Fades To Legend
Release Date: June 3, 2008
Record Label: Fearless

I’ve decided that I’m going to create a new genre for bands like Alesana. They are the kind of band that’s a little bit screamo, a little bit pop, a little bit metal, and a little bit of country (just kidding about the last one), so it’s difficult to put them into a genre. Until now. I introduce to you “lolcore,” the perfect home to place a band like Alesana, whose music is fairly generic and cookie-cutter, but at the same time mildly entertaining.

The North Carolina sextet brought in Steve Evetts (Saves The Day, Every Time I Die, Senses Fail) to produce their sophomore album, Where Myth Fades To Legend, the follow-up to their Fearless debut, On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax. What you’ll find on Myth is more of the same: a triple guitar attack that sounds like two guitars most of the time, mediocre lyrics sung by an above average vocalist backed by whiny screams. Even the chorus of opening track “This Is Usually The Part Where People Scream” acts as a self-prophecy: “Welcome to the show/it’s a story you’ve heard a thousand times/so take a seat/and get lost with me.” Which is exactly what happens. Even though the song is nothing special, it’s incredibly catchy and has a big breakdown towards the end, and I’m a sucker for fun breakdowns. And “Goodbye, Goodnight, For Good” delivers that, as well. With aggressive riffs and clean vocals from Shawn Milke, it’s another head-banger.

When I listen to Milke’s vocals, a part of me hears Claudio Sanchez, and the sung vocals are not bad at all throughout the album. It’s the screaming that brings down the work, as it could use some serious improvement. “Seduction” is an all right track that could do without most of the screaming, while “Red And Dying Evening” is dominated by screaming and double-bass drum kicks from Jeremy Bryan, and it actually works for the most part.

“Sweetheart, You Are Sadly Mistaken” is a favorite of mine, as it starts out with some delicate guitar plucking and kicks into a huge riff. Mike sings about his bloodlust for a girl, and other than a few cringe-inducing lines, the lyrics aren’t that bad. “As You Wish” is horrible, as Alesana should stay away from piano ballads. Closing track “Obsession Is Such An Ugly Word” ends the album in decent fashion, with charging riffs from Milke, Adam Ferguson, and Patrick Thompson and bombastic drum kicks, as the album ends raucously with a lot of screaming, guitars, and noise.

Alesana’s Where Myth Fades To Legend is definitely one of the more generic albums you'll hear in 2008. Evetts did a good job producing this album, and there are a few bright spots throughout, such as vocalist Shawn Milke. Of course they are a plethora of flaws, such as some songs sounding the same, poor lyrics, generic screaming, etcetera, etc. There are still a lot of improvements the band needs to make on their next album, until then Alesana will continue to be more Myth than Legend.

Track Listing:
1. This Is Usually The Part Where People Scream
2. Goodbye, Goodnight, For Good
3. Seduction
4. A Most Profound Quiet
5. Red And Dying Evening
6. Better Luck Next Time, Prince Charming
7. The Uninvited Thirteenth
8. Sweetheart, You Are Sadly Mistaken
9. And They Call This Tragedy
10. All Night Dance Parties In The Underground Palace
11. Endings Without Stories
12. As You Wish
13. Obsession Is Such An Ugly Word
Produced by: Steve Evetts

Alesana are:
Shawn Mike – vocals/guitar/piano
Dennis Lee – lead vocals
Patrick Thompson – guitar
Jeremy Bryan – drums
Adam Ferguson – guitar/vocals
Shane Crump – bass/vocals

Buy it now at http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/badgeitunes61x15dark.gif (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=dbziBg1FBPw&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D281152417%2526id%253D281152181%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )

Official Website (http://www.alesanamusic.net); Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/alesana); Official AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/alesana)

[fearandloathing]

I thought the album sucked except for the songs they redid on their old ep (endings without stories, and they call this tragedy, red and dying evening). If you havent heard it, its alot better than the songs on this album and frail wings

p.s. shawn does the clean vocals, dennis screams and growls

[TheOtherAndrew]

lolcore, haha. nice.

[The Database]

Good review. I too like this record.

[applesandcyanid]

Not a bad CD and a very good review.

[fadedmemories]

lol @ lolcore

just a question drew.... where myth fades to legend or from first to last?

[symbiote28]

nobody is reviewing A Skylit Drive's album?

[Drew Beringer]

lol @ lolcore

just a question drew.... where myth fades to legend or from first to last?
FFTL imo

[keeplioving]

if you really want to laugh though, see these guys live

[LastDeclaration]

Spot-on review.

[LastDeclaration]

FFTL imo

Agreed.

[dustyfloors]

I love "lolcore"

EDIT: The name not always the music...

[zafran27]

amazing record
amazing live performance
these guys r amazing

[applesandcyanid]

if you really want to laugh though, see these guys live

This band kills it live, you obviously don't know what you're talking about. One of the best shows of 07 for me was seeing them open for Haste The Day.

[reissgoespunk]

"lolcore", hahaha!

[industrialbelt]

if you really want to laugh though, see these guys live

agreed.

[TakenByCars]

ehh.. i only dig the acoustic parts.

[RockVocalPower]

Yuck.

[alice+interiors]

lolcore

[magicalmichigan]

i thought there would be something about the off-key vocals in there somewhere.

[Shrillex]

imo i liked th screamer better than the singer.

[matticus827]

i cant respect a review if you dont even know who does what in the band. shawn does the singing, dennis does the screams

[Sic Transit Zeb]

not gonna lie, i really hate this album

[FaceLixeMurder]

Alesana is definitely a guilty pleasure for me as well, they are fun to listen to and fun to watch but I don't take them too seriously...

[crazytoledo]

nobody is reviewing A Skylit Drive's album?

Their new cd is HORRIBLE. Jag killed another band.

[Romancebled]

nobody is reviewing A Skylit Drive's album?

in my opinion, this is a horrible band... and the album is just as bad.

[whothehellru171]

yea it was a good review and definitely a little bit of confusion with the singers on your part Drew (not like anyone else has already pointed that out). Either way I think the conclusion is probably the strongest part of the review. It pretty much exemplifies everything that this band is and will be. I'm still definitely going to say that this album is definitely a better album than the debut though.

[Drew Beringer]

i cant respect a review if you dont even know who does what in the band. shawn does the singing, dennis does the screams
well the press release said that Dennis Lee is the lead vocalist, which I would assume is the person who does the majority of the singing.

[keeplioving]

This band kills it live, you obviously don't know what you're talking about. One of the best shows of 07 for me was seeing them open for Haste The Day.

I don't know what I'm talking about? I guess I forgot that terrible music, choreographed stage moves, matching black outfits, and douchebag-acting singers are considered cool.

one of the worst shows of '07 was having to sit through them at As Cities Burn's CD release show.
but, like I said, it was pretty hilarious. so that also made the time pass.

[trindaddy]

I think lolcore will catch on pretty big.

[Goat01]

This band kills it live, you obviously don't know what you're talking about. One of the best shows of 07 for me was seeing them open for Haste The Day.

Totally agreed. HTD, Alesana, and From Autumn to Ashes. That show was killer.

[Gumbyjag]

thanks for reviewing this, now i know it's not worth buying.

[aaron401]

i'm so sick of these bands.

[aradiantsunrise]

I think this album is good. Alesana is even better live, Dennis' vocals are killer when you hear them in person. His screams are way better live than on the albums.

[bloodyr0mance87]

lolcore, lol. just listening to some stuff on myspace. they should ditch the screaming altogether and they would actually be pretty good. nothing out of this world, but still good. i actually kind of enjoy the clean vocals.

[gladnads]

if you really want to laugh though, see these guys live

Massie facepalms happened when I saw them live. Of course The Sleeping played after them, so it didn't get too much better.

[etrox318]

I laughed out loud when I saw "lolcore".

[Barto1127]

i actually like these guys, but i'm unsure with this album so far. I liked when their stuff sounded more raw on their albums. Perfect example for me is "Ending Without Stories" and "And They Call This Tragedy"--I liked the EP versions a lot better than the over-produced ones on Myth.

A couple of the songs have real catchy choruses though.

Their live performance was pretty diesel, too.

[coltenTALK]

This band is

[AcidZero]

not a fan of Alesana.

[shtjames]

you were too nice

[crushxcrushx3]

i agree, this album is great :)

[Scott Irvine]

Don't be afraid to be tough, Drew. Haha, a 57% and it sounds like you have a big chubby for them.

Grit your teeth!

[newfoundmichael]

if you really want to laugh though, see these guys live

For real. I literally was laughing at how bad they are.

This is easily my least favorite band around right now.

[Matthew Tsai]

nobody is reviewing A Skylit Drive's album?

i'll review it for you:

15%

[MyNameIsRoss]

thanks for reviewing this, now i know it's not worth buying.

You needed the review to realize that?

[hxchairstylist]

i'll review it for you:

15%

totally!! I was so pissed I bought that terrible piece of shit for an album. money back guarantee???

[gonfreaks]

Great review, album not so much. It's already been said, but lolcore, haha.

[Drew Beringer]

Don't be afraid to be tough, Drew. Haha, a 57% and it sounds like you have a big chubby for them.

Grit your teeth!
uh, k? I hate this rating system, so I don't put any stock into it at all. It's a 2/5 in my mind.

As for having a "chubby" there are a handful of songs I like, I wrote about a few songs that were bad, and then summed up the album by being generic, some of the songs sounding the same, poor lyrics, poor screaming, and wrote they need to improve a ton. So if that qualifies as a "chubby" then I'm guilty.

I'm just not one to totally focus on the negatives and rip shit apart. That's not my personality in real life and I want my writing to reflect the person I am. If people want to read something just get torn to shreds without really giving a description of the music, then they can go to Pitchfork.

[zafran27]

the albume nds amaizng

[ActionActionFan]

The album is decent. Definently not as bad as people make it seem.

[Scott Irvine]

uh, k? I hate this rating system, so I don't put any stock into it at all. It's a 2/5 in my mind.

As for having a "chubby" there are a handful of songs I like, I wrote about a few songs that were bad, and then summed up the album by being generic, some of the songs sounding the same, poor lyrics, poor screaming, and wrote they need to improve a ton. So if that qualifies as a "chubby" then I'm guilty.

I'm just not one to totally focus on the negatives and rip shit apart. That's not my personality in real life and I want my writing to reflect the person I am. If people want to read something just get torn to shreds without really giving a description of the music, then they can go to Pitchfork.

I'm just playing around man. I was just commenting on the fact that you gave it a lower rating but had way more good things to say than bad.

[princesschad]

Good review.

[victoriasdf]

nice review, i might check this out.
though, when i saw them with fys i wasn't very impressed.

[DandonTRJ]

I feel like I'm basically in line with you on this album, Drew.

I just did a review of it for another site and came to the same conclusions, but rated them higher on musicianship and creativity. I feel like they write above-average songs with lots of melody, but then muffle it with screams and emotastic lyricism. Evetts at least cleaned up the horrible guitar tone they were using on the last album [the one that made them sound like a garage band], and the musicianship itself [which I already thought was pretty solid] was kicked up a notch. If the vocal work was smoothed out and they ditched the pretentiousness, they'd actually be something to brag about. Right now they embody everything I both love and hate about screamo.

[Co and Ca]

Anyone who likes this band should eat a tablespoon full of cinnamon.

[hockeyguitar99]

lolcore could possibly be the best genre name of all time

[symbiote28]

Their new cd is HORRIBLE. Jag killed another band.

in my opinion, this is a horrible band... and the album is just as bad.

i'll review it for you:

15%
wow .. im suprise at all these comments .. imo, i like the ep better but since they change vocalist, it's hard to compare both jordan and jag since their style is way way different .. i like some songs on the new album which i think jordah couldnt pull off .. my rating for the album as of now is 7/10 ..

ps: it couldnt be worse than all alesana releases combined right ..

[EchoPark]

The Reviewer said it best.

"The screaming brings this album down"

I couldn't agree more. Cut out the screaming and you've got a really great album and awesome band.

[Sybrik]

claudio-core is better

[Klatzke]

wow .. im suprise at all these comments .. imo, i like the ep better but since they change vocalist, it's hard to compare both jordan and jag since their style is way way different .. i like some songs on the new album which i think jordah couldnt pull off .. my rating for the album as of now is 7/10 ..

ps: it couldnt be worse than all alesana releases combined right ..
Yeahh, i would review this but i see myself getting some mass bashing for it.

Its would be 8/10 in my opinion, i don't see people's problem with it.

[Spenny]

Ouch, tough review.

I'd personally give the CD a 75%, but that's just me.
A good CD, but overall I like their debut better.

[shadetoperfect]

Their new cd is HORRIBLE. Jag killed another band.

in my opinion, this is a horrible band... and the album is just as bad.

i'll review it for you:

15%

totally!! I was so pissed I bought that terrible piece of shit for an album. money back guarantee???


It's funny how ASD has consistently been in the top 5 artists on purevolume.com since the first new demo was posted back in March, holding their new album in the top 3 selling spots on smartpunk.com for over a month, reached the #25 spot for Top Albums on ALL of iTunes (not just Alternative ... up against everything iTunes carries), and is ALWAYS in the higher portion of the top 10 for Myspace screamo acts worldwide.

....and you all still feel they don't deserve a little more credit? .... they have noticeably grown so much since their old singer left .... they've already in 2 WEEKS almost sold as many copies of "Wires" as they have currently sold of their EP.

Wise up and at least show some respect.

[symbiote28]

It's funny how ASD has consistently been in the top 5 artists on purevolume.com since the first new demo was posted back in March, holding their new album in the top 3 selling spots on smartpunk.com for over a month, reached the #25 spot for Top Albums on ALL of iTunes (not just Alternative ... up against everything iTunes carries), and is ALWAYS in the higher portion of the top 10 for Myspace screamo acts worldwide.

....and you all still feel they don't deserve a little more credit? .... they have noticeably grown so much since their old singer left .... they've already in 2 WEEKS almost sold as many copies of "Wires" as they have currently sold of their EP.

Wise up and at least show some respect.
nice .. and i still can't believe how others are saying Alesana's new album is better than 'Wires' .. absolutely bollocks ..

[Romancebled]

It's funny how ASD has consistently been in the top 5 artists on purevolume.com since the first new demo was posted back in March, holding their new album in the top 3 selling spots on smartpunk.com for over a month, reached the #25 spot for Top Albums on ALL of iTunes (not just Alternative ... up against everything iTunes carries), and is ALWAYS in the higher portion of the top 10 for Myspace screamo acts worldwide.

....and you all still feel they don't deserve a little more credit? .... they have noticeably grown so much since their old singer left .... they've already in 2 WEEKS almost sold as many copies of "Wires" as they have currently sold of their EP.

Wise up and at least show some respect.

...it doesn't mean they're good. i agree that they're hardworking guys, but that's about it. when i saw them live, the vocals were beyond terrible.

[EmiSuicide]

all of the lyrics are based on grimm's fairy tales in case you didn't know.

[shadetoperfect]

...it doesn't mean they're good. i agree that they're hardworking guys, but that's about it. when i saw them live, the vocals were beyond terrible.

... and was Jordan in the band or Jag?

[symbiote28]

i always heard Jag was way way better than Jordan live ..

[Romancebled]

... and was Jordan in the band or Jag?

when i saw them, it was with Jordan. however, my friend just saw them live recently and said Jag was pretty bad (always off pitch). i also watched several live videos on youtube and it wasn't good at all.

[shadetoperfect]

when i saw them, it was with Jordan. however, my friend just saw them live recently and said Jag was pretty bad (always off pitch). i also watched several live videos on youtube and it wasn't good at all.

Well, that's too bad. ASD isn't for everyone. I just don't understand why people have to hate on them so hard on this website.

[symbiote28]

all of the lyrics are based on grimm's fairy tales in case you didn't know.
are you refering to Alesana or ASD ?

[matticus827]

well the press release said that Dennis Lee is the lead vocalist, which I would assume is the person who does the majority of the singing.

nope, you are wrong

[Drew Beringer]

nope, you are wrong
no shit, I blame the press release

[sh!twolf]

its shawn milke you fucking idiot n!gger. get that shit right if you're going to review a band. f@ggot.

[MetalBassist07]

As far as the new album goes, I think it's a let down. Yesterday I bought the new A Skylit Drive cd and the new Alesana cd and, to be honest, I can listen to the ASD one so much more (and I like Alesana more).

This new album was a big let-down. The piano ballads on their first cd were amazing and phenomenal. They gave me chills. I think the one on here is a really poor attempt. Even the female vocals don't fit in nearly as well as they did previously.

As far as ASD is concerned, I do like their EP better, but there are songs on the new album that I love and I can listen to the cd all day. I can only get about 3, maybe 4, tracks in at a time with Alesana. It's too poppy. I saw them on May 4th and they were amazing live. One of the best shows I've been to. Luckily, when it comes to "lolcore" bands, they all sound heavier live. So the poppy-ness evens out (they played a couple tracks from the new album at the show).

The piano ballads were not pulled off nearly as well, the vocals have gone somewhat downhill, the guitar solo is out of nowhere, and they could easily get an edited track (screaming taken out) put on a pop radio station. In general, there are songs that blow me away on the first cd and, in the second, none seem to stand out.

Sorry for the length of this reply. :D

[Meleeskers]

his last name is miLke, not "mike" fyi.

appreciate the review but:
“As You Wish” is horrible, as Alesana should stay away from piano ballads."
is a little harsh if you ask me.
just because a band takes a step outside of the box for one track does not mean its "horrible"
still took talent to write and perform ya know?
i just would think as someone who seems to enjoy Shawn's vocals more than the screaming on the record that you would enjoy a song that is strictly him singing.

[Meleeskers]

i thought there would be something about the off-key vocals in there somewhere.
theres a difference between off-key vocals, and dark harmonies fyi.
not a single moment of this cd is off-key.
steve evetts would have NEVER allowed that.

[Meleeskers]

uh, k? I hate this rating system, so I don't put any stock into it at all. It's a 2/5 in my mind.

As for having a "chubby" there are a handful of songs I like, I wrote about a few songs that were bad, and then summed up the album by being generic, some of the songs sounding the same, poor lyrics, poor screaming, and wrote they need to improve a ton. So if that qualifies as a "chubby" then I'm guilty.

I'm just not one to totally focus on the negatives and rip shit apart. That's not my personality in real life and I want my writing to reflect the person I am. If people want to read something just get torn to shreds without really giving a description of the music, then they can go to Pitchfork.
i appreciate that you said that. a good review points out both the good and the bad, and you did an excellent job of that =)

[BloggerFace]

nice .. and i still can't believe how others are saying Alesana's new album is better than 'Wires' .. absolutely bollocks ..
well obviously you like ASD more..you're entitled to your opinion, and we're entitled to ours.
no need to insult people for it.

[symbiote28]

well obviously you like ASD more..you're entitled to your opinion, and we're entitled to ours.
no need to insult people for it.
hey .. mind you but i didnt insult anyone ..

[skleeve]

For being such a horrible band, they sure do get all the haters to come out and comment on them huh? The low growl on the cd sounds bad ass, but in songs like Endings Without Stories, the guitar does sound...computerized and shit. I think their live performances are amazing and they definately give it all they got. Dennis just struggles screaming that much live and it sometimes sounds rediculous.


A Skylit Drive is on Alesana's old label, they sucked live to be honest, but their debut cd was pretty good. I don't see them getting bigger, but just fading out of the music scene slowly.

[SomedayTheFire]

his last name is miLke, not "mike" fyi.

appreciate the review but:
“As You Wish” is horrible, as Alesana should stay away from piano ballads."
is a little harsh if you ask me.
just because a band takes a step outside of the box for one track does not mean its "horrible"
still took talent to write and perform ya know?
i just would think as someone who seems to enjoy Shawn's vocals more than the screaming on the record that you would enjoy a song that is strictly him singing.

As You Wish is horrible.
It is a horrible horrible attempt at re doing Third Temptations Of Paris and it failed big time

[swazimodo]

These guys are straight trash. If you're one of those kids who considers Alesana hardcore, then do us all a favor and paint the wall with your brains. Where Myth seriously pains my ears. I didn't have a problem with Vanity but the new album is awful.

[bluepoles]

if you really want to laugh though, see these guys live
I always heard that even though their music sucks they are great live

[keeplioving]

It's funny how ASD has consistently been in the top 5 artists on purevolume.com since the first new demo was posted back in March, holding their new album in the top 3 selling spots on smartpunk.com for over a month, reached the #25 spot for Top Albums on ALL of iTunes (not just Alternative ... up against everything iTunes carries), and is ALWAYS in the higher portion of the top 10 for Myspace screamo acts worldwide.

....and you all still feel they don't deserve a little more credit? .... they have noticeably grown so much since their old singer left .... they've already in 2 WEEKS almost sold as many copies of "Wires" as they have currently sold of their EP.

Wise up and at least show some respect.

doesn't mean they're good...
Jeffree Star could (maybe has? I don't know) sell a shitload of his music on iTunes. but clearly that would not make him good nor would it require that I "respect" him.

[Nick Le]

lol
lolcore.

[MetalBassist07]

Alesana was amazing live when I saw them. I loved Vanity, but this one...no. It all sounds too poppy and too uniform throughout. I agree that As You Wish was horrible and a poor attempt at a second Third Temptation of Paris or Early Mourning.

[kigginsthisprov]

All my friends are in love with Alesana but I've never liked them.

[adixczz]

sweetheart, you are sadly mistaken is nice song

[hockeyguitar99]

sweetheart, you are sadly mistaken is nice song

no it's not.

[iwantawhopper]

i personally love Alesana. they have the best lyrics and the sexiest voices ever. and they're actually unique unlike other bands who all sound the same. it's true that they can't even really be classified into a genre.
believe me, i could go on forever about them.
as i was saying, their lyrics are untouched. no one can live up to them..
i admit, their new music isn't nearly as good or as catchy as the old, but it's still better than anything else you can find.
And as for the song "As You Wish", I love it. At first, I couldn't even really stand to listen to it because the girl, Melissa, who sings on the track didn't compliment what's-his-face's voice well. but the more and more i listened to it, the more and more it seemed to fit. Of course, it's not nearly as good as their old song "The Third Temptation of Paris", but still. It's awesome.
I love how they can have those few songs that are calm with the piano and leave you with chills at the end. I definitely think they know what they are doing. I personally hope they never change to what everyone else thinks is "better". they're already the best.

[hockeyguitar99]

i personally love Alesana. they have the best lyrics and the sexiest voices ever. and they're actually unique unlike other bands who all sound the same. it's true that they can't even really be classified into a genre.
believe me, i could go on forever about them.
as i was saying, their lyrics are untouched. no one can live up to them..
i admit, their new music isn't nearly as good or as catchy as the old, but it's still better than anything else you can find.
And as for the song "As You Wish", I love it. At first, I couldn't even really stand to listen to it because the girl, Melissa, who sings on the track didn't compliment what's-his-face's voice well. but the more and more i listened to it, the more and more it seemed to fit. Of course, it's not nearly as good as their old song "The Third Temptation of Paris", but still. It's awesome.
I love how they can have those few songs that are calm with the piano and leave you with chills at the end. I definitely think they know what they are doing. I personally hope they never change to what everyone else thinks is "better". they're already the best.

:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:

[SomedayTheFire]

i personally love Alesana. they have the best lyrics and the sexiest voices ever. and they're actually unique unlike other bands who all sound the same. it's true that they can't even really be classified into a genre.
believe me, i could go on forever about them.
as i was saying, their lyrics are untouched. no one can live up to them..
i admit, their new music isn't nearly as good or as catchy as the old, but it's still better than anything else you can find.
And as for the song "As You Wish", I love it. At first, I couldn't even really stand to listen to it because the girl, Melissa, who sings on the track didn't compliment what's-his-face's voice well. but the more and more i listened to it, the more and more it seemed to fit. Of course, it's not nearly as good as their old song "The Third Temptation of Paris", but still. It's awesome.
I love how they can have those few songs that are calm with the piano and leave you with chills at the end. I definitely think they know what they are doing. I personally hope they never change to what everyone else thinks is "better". they're already the best.
Wow. :rotfl::rotfl:

[Solitaire Guy]

Personally, I see your review as rife with bias. But that's inevitable for things like screamo, where it seems to be either love or hate, with no middle ground.

I have to disagree with them being 'Generic,' as bands like Alesana a few and far between, as shown as how you had to create a new genre just to describe them. AS for your way of describing them, I'd say they're more than a bit screamo and melodic (There's a difference between melodic and pop). I personally find them original, but that's the thing with favourite bands, you always think they're unique. So I'll go for the middle ground, halfway between original and generic would be kinda unique.

The thing in your review that I disagree with the most is your description of their lyrics. "Mediocre," is completely wrong. Their lyrics are, at the risk of sounding like a fanboy, some of the best I've ever heard. You gave an example yourself in Sweetheart you're Sadly Mistaken, about a guy who wants to kill someone. Find some proper lyrics of it (A common mistake made is "Take one step closer to this gap," rather than "Take one step closer to this cage."), and it does paint a picture in your head. With almost all of their songs I see in my head something of a video going along with it.

Unlike other bands who just string together random words to create a rhythm, Alesana takes care with their writing. Most of the songs are written 50/50 by the singer and screamer, I'm using their titles because most people don't know their names, with both of them writing about different parts of the characters. For the most part, the singer writes the more romantic parts while the screamer does the more blood thirsty ones. A good example is Ambrosia, which is about king Midas, the guy that could turn things to gold with his touch. The singer writes about about it's a curse, and how he longs for his wife who ran away. The screamer sings about how he lusts for more power, and eventually how he purposelly turns his wife into gold. The singer continues, asking thm to 'cut the thread,' which in Greek mythology meant to die (You've all seen Hercules, right?)

Because of their writing style, MPD seems to be a recurring theme in everything but their love songs, which brings me to my next point; Their piano ballads. As a male, I should probably feel a bit ashamed for it, but they're my guilty pleasure (Along with orchestra). Sappy love songs generally piss me off, due to their abundance in r'n'b, pop and pop rock which are usually nothing but that. But As You Wish, which is based off a book who's name I can't recall, draws me in for some reason. Might just be me though. We can all agree, however, (As shown by how many people repeated it) that The Third Temptation of Paris was a good piano ballad, so you can't say Alesana should keep away from them.

Well, that's my review of a review. So I'll just repeat me main gripes, incase that was tl;dr. Lyrics weren't bad, you must be some sort of retarded, and they're not generic, which you seem to prove yourself with a lack of genre to categorise them in.

[DaveZeroZero]

I approve of the name of this genre. It's very fitting.

[tormented lust]

"as you wish" is one of my personal favorites, the girl has such a sweet seductive voice, and his voice melts easily into a mixture of greatness...

[tormented lust]

if you really want to laugh though, see these guys live
lol, ya, their quite entertaining live

[denissuxx]

Spot on review, from someone who likes the genre.

[flks511]

I don't know what I'm talking about? I guess I forgot that terrible music, choreographed stage moves, matching black outfits, and douchebag-acting singers are considered cool.

one of the worst shows of '07 was having to sit through them at As Cities Burn's CD release show.
but, like I said, it was pretty hilarious. so that also made the time pass.
I guess we all forgot that a band's outfits is a part of their show. This band puts on a great live show, as much of their music is geared towards what it will sound like live, rather than on the album.

[keeplioving]

I guess we all forgot that a band's outfits is a part of their show. This band puts on a great live show, as much of their music is geared towards what it will sound like live, rather than on the album.
those weren't the only reasons why I didn't like the live show. it wasn't good in my opinion. they came off as very cheesy and fake, and it's hard to respect that. on top of that, I don't like their music at all. they did nothing to impress me. it was unoriginal and bland

[tormented lust]

those weren't the only reasons why I didn't like the live show. it wasn't good in my opinion. they came off as very cheesy and fake, and it's hard to respect that. on top of that, I don't like their music at all. they did nothing to impress me. it was unoriginal and bland
to each his own, it's you're own opinion, if you want to voice it, go right ahead... but if you don't like their music... why did u go to their concert? doesn't make much sense to me...

[chelseaxsmilexD]

as you wish is one of the worst ballads i've ever heard.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

to each his own, it's you're own opinion, if you want to voice it, go right ahead... but if you don't like their music... why did u go to their concert? doesn't make much sense to me...
exactly.... kinda dumb right... like spend 50 dollars to see a band i hate...

[chelseaxsmilexD]

i personally love Alesana. they have the best lyrics and the sexiest voices ever. and they're actually unique unlike other bands who all sound the same. it's true that they can't even really be classified into a genre.
believe me, i could go on forever about them.
as i was saying, their lyrics are untouched. no one can live up to them..
i admit, their new music isn't nearly as good or as catchy as the old, but it's still better than anything else you can find.
And as for the song "As You Wish", I love it. At first, I couldn't even really stand to listen to it because the girl, Melissa, who sings on the track didn't compliment what's-his-face's voice well. but the more and more i listened to it, the more and more it seemed to fit. Of course, it's not nearly as good as their old song "The Third Temptation of Paris", but still. It's awesome.
I love how they can have those few songs that are calm with the piano and leave you with chills at the end. I definitely think they know what they are doing. I personally hope they never change to what everyone else thinks is "better". they're already the best.
umm noooo.... Bring me the horizon is the best... this band has like 4 or 5 good songs... but they are like Boys Like Girls with a cookie monster vocalist screaming in the deepest voice imaginable.

[tormented lust]

umm noooo.... Bring me the horizon is the best... this band has like 4 or 5 good songs... but they are like Boys Like Girls with a cookie monster vocalist screaming in the deepest voice imaginable.
lolz, i love bring me the horizon, saw them live :inlove: amazing!

[chelseaxsmilexD]

lolz, i love bring me the horizon, saw them live :inlove: amazing!
thank you... i hate when people hate bmth because a bunch of scene kids like 'em. It's stereotypical... even if their first album was kind a bad, their new album is amazing!!!!!!!!

btw plz say you don't only like them because of oli...

[chelseaxsmilexD]

FFTL imo
agreed

[SomedayTheFire]

exactly.... kinda dumb right... like spend 50 dollars to see a band i hate...
Idiots. He went to a show of a band he liked, Alesana opened. Use some fucking sense.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

Idiots. He went to a show of a band he liked, Alesana opened. Use some fucking sense.
you think we didn't know that... it was a joke... use some fucking sense yourself

[SomedayTheFire]

you think we didn't know that... it was a joke... use some fucking sense yourself
A joke? What sense of humour do you have?

[chelseaxsmilexD]

A joke? What sense of humour do you have?
the one that you don't, you know, the good kind. Also, it's humor mister I know everything, unless your from gb.

[SomedayTheFire]

the one that you don't, you know, the good kind. Also, it's humor mister I know everything, unless your from gb.
lol. Fucking idiot. It is humour actually, it's something called cultural difference don't be so ignorant.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

lol. Fucking idiot. It is humour actually, it's something called cultural difference don't be so ignorant.
i said unless you live in gb stupid... aorry i didn't put not from the U.S., okay... jeebus... maybe you should stop having to curse like an ignorant conservative redneck.

[SomedayTheFire]

i said unless you live in gb stupid... aorry i didn't put not from the U.S., okay... jeebus... maybe you should stop having to curse like an ignorant conservative redneck.
I don't live in Great Britain. Wait, because I curse you immediately assume I am a conservatice redneck? and you call me ignorant? Oh my god. You really are an idiot, seriously.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

I don't live in Great Britain. Wait, because I curse you immediately assume I am a conservatice redneck? and you call me ignorant? Oh my god. You really are an idiot, seriously.
no, maybe if you read the post corerectly (which makes you an idiot, and therefore a hypocrite) i compared you to one, I never said, "you curse? you're a conservative republic redneck! Get him and send him to the gallows!" I was comparing you to one. And by the way, oh my god isn't a complete sentence. And while normally, I'd care less, I'll bring it up and pick apart every little thing you've done wrong, because what goes around comes around. Also, by not backing up everything you do, you leave room for me to do that. The incomplete sentence makes you an idiot, if me placing you into a 'harmless' stereotype makes me an idiot. Also, you're ignorant for thinking I'm stupid when you don't know me. For your information, I was the valedictorian at my school and skipped a grade, so I wouldn't be calling me stupid, especially because you DON'T know me. Stop harrassing me, or I'll report you.

[DaveZeroZero]

the one that you don't, you know, the good kind. Also, it's humor mister I know everything, unless your from gb.
*you're

[Dystroxia]

LMFAO @ BMTH being a good band

[tormented lust]

thank you... i hate when people hate bmth because a bunch of scene kids like 'em. It's stereotypical... even if their first album was kind a bad, their new album is amazing!!!!!!!!

btw plz say you don't only like them because of oli...


no not quite haha... they have a unique sound, and about the whole steriotype ov scene kids liking them, i'm not scene haha, so i'm pretty sure its just not them... bmth is great, thats all there is to it

[bellamuerte666]

good review :)

would definitely like to hear your opinion on the new album "the emptiness" since it cam out today

[Drew Beringer]

good review :)

would definitely like to hear your opinion on the new album "the emptiness" since it cam out today
currently working on a review for that

[ajmp3]

what the hell is this guy saying? alesana fucking kills: their lyrics are really good compared to other retarded bands, the screaming is execellent, and the clean vocals are perfect. if you wanna hear "lolcore" then listen to the devil wears prada, they're extremely horrible.