A Skylit Drive - Wires and the Concept of Breathing

[Jesse SD]

A Skylit Drive - Wires and the Concept of Breathing
Record Label: Tragic Hero Records
Release Date: May 20, 2008

Following the popularity of their 2007 EP She Watched the Sky, A Skylit Drive returns with a new lead vocalist, a confusingly-titled album, and a huge step down from wherever it was they were before.

Listening to the first two tracks, listeners are led to believe that A Skylit Drive is going to match (and maybe even surpass) the quality of their previous release. The opening instrumental track, “In the Beginning There Was Void,” features some interesting synth work that swells perfectly into “Knights of the Round.” This track, one of the best on the album, jumpstarts with a piercing scream layered over a gravelly growl. Unfortunately, this track flounders as soon as the singing kicks in (around the 20-second mark), and doesn’t really recover throughout the rest of the song.

Many of the other songs on the album follow this same pattern; they grab your attention, only to fall short of your initial expectations. The opening riff on “City on the Edge of Forever” captures the listener’s interest, only to be followed by three minutes of monotony. The appealing instrumentation (frenetic guitar-playing, fast-paced percussion, and spacey synth work) in the intro of “Ex Machina,” is quickly forgotten as soon as the (slowed) first verse starts. The great opening growls on “Pursuit Lets Wisdom Ride the Wind,” are ultimately forsaken for singing and sluggish instrumentation.

Some tracks don’t even manage to get off the ground, though, and the likes of “I’m Not a Thief, I’m a Treasure Hunter,” “This Isn’t the End,” and “Sleepwalker” end up being skipped over out of sheer boredom.

If you manage to make it to “All It Takes for Your Dreams to Come True,” (the closer) you’ll be able to pull at least one memorable track from the album. Aside from its laughable title, the song further develops the elements that set the band apart in She Watched the Sky; soaring vocals, layered screams/growls, a catchy chorus (Jagmin finally shows he can deliver good vocals when he sings, “Our last time to make stars collide right before our eyes / Believe in everything, everything you’ve ever known / Reciting words we lost, these years will never be untold / I won’t be alone”), and good instrumental work all-around (especially the atmospheric/epic synth).

Admittedly, A Skylit Drive was never the most original band, but the sound on Wires... And the Concept of Breathing is exceedingly generic (far more so than in She Watched the Sky). In the place of the layered and varied vocals (screaming, growling, and singing were mixed into an enjoyably spastic combination) that made the EP worthwhile, A Skylit Drive opted for a call-and-answer/take-turns style of delivery on much of the album, and ended up sounding like every other screamo/post-hardcore outfit out there (aside from Jagmin’s unbelievably high-pitched voice). That being said, the album isn’t terrible to listen to; it’s just that there are numerous other bands from this genre that are much more worth your while.

Alesana, Chiodos, Before Their Eyes
myspace.com/askylitdrive (http://www.myspace.com/askylitdrive)

[youwithoutMe]

I'd have to agree with a D (60-70%), i really liked their old singers voice and they will never be as good to me as it was with Jordan, their ep was great to me and i still enjoy listening too it sometimes. But I'm already sick of this cd and done with this band as for caring what they do from here on out

[Klatzke]

I truthfully love this CD. Did you say that "I'm not a thief i'm a treasuer hunter" was skippable?

Wow. Everyones hating on this because they lost their old vocalist, but whatever.

[hockeyguitar99]

i honestly didn't like them before

and i still don't feel it now

atleast i gave the album a decent shot

[EchoPark]

I like the singers higher toned singing. But the screaming ruins this album as with so many albums these days.

[newfoundmichael]

I heard this really sucked and I hate Alesana, so I won't be checking this out anytime soon. Way to sum things up in the first paragraph too.

[Boadrummer]

Nothing like Alesana...

[Romancebled]

this album is terrible...

[gr33ndayfr3ak]

personally, i really liked this album.
i hadnt heard of them until a few months ago, but when i heard the title track from this, i got addicted.
i actually like it more than their earlier EP with their old vocalist.
i guess its just a matter of opinion.

[Matthew Tsai]

this band is terrible in general.

new singer, old singer, doesn't matter. this is a SCENE BAND and it's BORING

[bifforama1]

I don't understand. I LOVE this album. It's my favorite from this year so far. They're nothing like Alesana. Alesana is terrible. Jag's voice is very, very similar to Jordan's. Also, some of the songs on She Watched The Sky - EP seemed somewhat empty. Still a good EP however. Anyway, this album is far better than the reviewer claimed it to be. The production is excellent, the vocals are excellent, the musicianship is excellent. The lyrics are good, not excellent, but good. And their not particularly creative. But all in all, all the songs (excluding "Pursuit Lets Wisdom Ride The Wind" and "Sleepwalker" which doesn't really count anyway) are catchy and fun to listen to. Whatever...

[hxchairstylist]

I gave this cd a real solid shot, but despite a few solid songs, it falls really flat in the long run. Nice reviews by the way today SD.

[sargentlgfuad]

i have to disagree.
yeah its not as good as the ep.
but honestly the drums and set up of the songs was really good.
there are some songs you go, ughh, it couldve been better.
but they have promise.
and how is Wires... And the Concept of Breathing laughable?
i thought it was clever.

[Co and Ca]

I gave this album a shot after I stumbled upon them on purevolume. I didn't find myself turning it off within 10 seconds like I do with current 'screamo' bands. The singer has a good voice. I think I liked it because he reminded me of Coheed/Saosin/Ever We Fall type stuff. The screamer doesn't add anything new though. I don't think I'll be listening to this much anymore. I'm pretty much over my teen-angst screaming music phase and have been since I was 18.

[FaceLixeMurder]

EP is way better!

[tyler426]

i really like this over she watched the sky. I really couldent get intot he ep but this album was solid, and the closing track is most def my favorite on the album.

[LiquorAndDick]

oh dear

[kigginsthisprov]

I haven't really tried listening to them because I just can't get over that Jordan left! Jag's vocals reminds of Coheed and Cambria and I hate them! But I guess I'll give it a listen

[Jamos4184]

I haven't really tried listening to them because I just can't get over that Jordan left! Jag's vocals reminds of Coheed and Cambria and I hate them! But I guess I'll give it a listen


I agree, this guy definitely wants to be Claudio Sanchez...

[Coverbydesign]

it took a long long long time for me to sit down and listen to this full album..Its not the best thing I have ever heard.But its not the worse

that award goes the new HHLL cd...

but yea its a good cd.

[Davey_Owens]

I agree, this guy definitely wants to be Claudio Sanchez...

Eh, not in the least. Jag's more inspired by 80's metal and arena rock bands than anything I think. All the bands he'd ever show me had high vocalists, and it was never any other band in the scene or similar genre ya know? I personally think it's a brilliant album. It combines hardcore with that 80's metal and some pop touches...But that's just my opinion.

[Jamos4184]

Eh, not in the least. Jag's more inspired by 80's metal and arena rock bands than anything I think. All the bands he'd ever show me had high vocalists, and it was never any other band in the scene or similar genre ya know? I personally think it's a brilliant album. It combines hardcore with that 80's metal and some pop touches...But that's just my opinion.

I wasn't sayin that to dis the guy or anything. I like Coheed, and I like the sound of these guys, too, just need to check them out a little bit more.

[BruisedxBroken]

The EP is still way better, but I sort of enjoyed this too. You could do a lot worse in the world of noisy fashioncore screamo (DDG, The Devil Wears Prada and Alesana come to mind)

[Connorrrr]

I really like this band tbh. Favourite songs: This Isn't The End & Balance ^^ Nice review though.

[Rickaly]

i found out about this band after they released wires. i downloaded it and they became one of my favs. you didnt even highlight balance. that is one of the best songs on the cd. i agree with maybe 75-85 somewhere around there.

[Rickaly]

I agree, this guy definitely wants to be Claudio Sanchez...
dude claudio sanchez sucks compared to jag.

[flks511]

Saw them open for Silverstein and Chiodos, and was really impressed at their show.
Heard the album and was extremely disappointed.

[foisol]

dude claudio sanchez sucks compared to jag.
You cannot compare a singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist-scene-pioneer to this guy. Nothing against ASD's vocalist... he's got some mean pipes.

[denissuxx]

I personally think this album is amazing.

[drakey]

i can't say i agree or disagree because i never really focused too much for this album. it's kind of one of those albums that you can't really dwell in. you just listen and make nothing of it. i enjoy it, though. one thing i would drop, if i was in the band, would be the screaming. it's overdone, and ASD's is kind of boring, but Jag has an amazing voice (when it's strong) and it needs to be shown off more.

[drakey]

I agree, this guy definitely wants to be Claudio Sanchez...
i don't see any Cluadio in there. Just because Jag's a countertenor doesn't mean he's trying to be Claudio. In fact, he's higher pitched than Claudio (even the early stuff, which was actually brought up on octave, digitally). And Claudio's voice is edgier and sort of accented, while Jag doesn't try, at all, to do that.

[Jamos4184]

i don't see any Cluadio in there. Just because Jag's a countertenor doesn't mean he's trying to be Claudio. In fact, he's higher pitched than Claudio (even the early stuff, which was actually brought up on octave, digitally). And Claudio's voice is edgier and sort of accented, while Jag doesn't try, at all, to do that.
All right, it was a half joke criticism.

[hXcXsXe]

I'm a relatively long-time fan of ASD, and i have to say that this is probably their best CD.
Everything is catchy.
The constant double bass keeps you gripped.
You all are crazy for dissing this album.

[justbradley]

whattttttttt?! how can absolutepunk hate on A Skylit Drive!? Wires and the Concept of Breathing is one of my favorite records I've ever heard. everyone seems to hate bands like this for some reason. i love them. i didn't like their first EP. their old singer... yeck. he's better with Watchout! Theres Ghosts. if you wanna go say how much you love him, go listen to them instead of A Skylit Drive still.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

i was at hot topic today and this guy like advised me to listen to ADELPHIA. i was like never heard em, whatever... worts situation.... don't like it turn it off for iWaBo. I liked a lil so i checked this out.... i think adelphia's better by 8-12%

[chelseaxsmilexD]

i don't see any Cluadio in there. Just because Jag's a countertenor doesn't mean he's trying to be Claudio. In fact, he's higher pitched than Claudio (even the early stuff, which was actually brought up on octave, digitally). And Claudio's voice is edgier and sort of accented, while Jag doesn't try, at all, to do that.
He's saying that he's trying to sound incomprehenisbly high for a male.

[winter-ame]

I don't understand how everyone cannot see A Skylit Drive's talent. In my opinion, though Jag has a high voice, it is balanced out with Cory's low growls. I honestly wasn't even interested in A Skylit Drive with Jordan Blake as a vocalist. He didn't even get me through one of his songs. A Skylit Drive shot up to one of my personal favorites with Jag,on the other hand. From start to end, this album is great. No song should be skipped, each with it's own uniqueness to it. None of the song titles are 'laughable', and fit perfectly with the songs. This is one band that shouldn't be missed! Seriously: 100/10.

[PureBlueSF]

I truthfully love this CD. Did you say that "I'm not a thief i'm a treasuer hunter" was skippable?

Wow. Everyones hating on this because they lost their old vocalist, but whatever.

Agreed. I like this a lot more than their EP.

[NeededYouMost]

clearly the reviewer simply doesn't like Jag=)

[krunkgirl16]

I'm not a theif I'm a treasure hunter is my favorite song!

[kevinAIWW]

I gave this album a shot after I stumbled upon them on purevolume. I didn't find myself turning it off within 10 seconds like I do with current 'screamo' bands. The singer has a good voice. I think I liked it because he reminded me of Coheed/Saosin/Ever We Fall type stuff. The screamer doesn't add anything new though. I don't think I'll be listening to this much anymore. I'm pretty much over my teen-angst screaming music phase and have been since I was 18.
Coheed, meets Rush.

[johnnyq21]

yo a skylit drive rocks, plain and simple, i never heard alesana, nor do i want to at the moment cause i dont if i should give em a chance, but im not up here spreading shit about them cause maybe there not shit, and like ASD totally not a scene band whoever said that, i guess for people they dont know good music, i understand if the overall album might sound the same but should they play a pink floyd cover for you so they can change up their taste? they are post-hardcore it's what they play, let em play it. met those fucks and seen em 3 times this year and i saw 20 chicks go inside their bus....peace

[writeacliche]

I don't understand the hate on this album, at all. Most of the bands that are "in" on this site are absolute shit straightforward pop punk. ASD is very good at everything they do. Ridiculous range on vocals and screams, frenetic but catchy guitar riffs, capable drumming. The lyrics aren't amazing but they work.

[H.e.n.r.I.]

yo a skylit drive rocks, plain and simple, i never heard alesana, nor do i want to at the moment cause i dont if i should give em a chance, but im not up here spreading shit about them cause maybe there not shit, and like ASD totally not a scene band whoever said that, i guess for people they dont know good music, i understand if the overall album might sound the same but should they play a pink floyd cover for you so they can change up their taste? they are post-hardcore it's what they play, let em play it. met those fucks and seen em 3 times this year and i saw 20 chicks go inside their bus....peace
hahahaha awesome last point there...but yea ASD is pretty fuckin bad-ass
and if you like em, listen to alesana (debut album is the best place to start)

[EL_Smoot]

This is my favorite album. Haha. I sense a divergence in opinion between the reviewer and myself.

[ShutUpMeg]

I do see where you're coming from, dude. Wires is definitely nothing like the EP and I get a lot of the same reaction from others, but I definitely wouldn't dismiss Wires immediately. I agree that ASD has a problem with sameness, but I suppose it depends on the listener. It seems like people tend to like a few different songs from the album as opposed to just the album in general

[Madmeerkat]

"I'm Not A Thief, I'm A Treasure Hunter" skippable? Ooo, bold statement to make about one of my fave songs ever...