Klatzke
06/13/08, 03:53 PM
Signal the Escape - All That You Deserve
Record Label: Double Blind Music
Release Date: June 24, 2008
In today's scene, it seems like people instantly throw out any band that has a similar or "generic" sound. In some cases, this is true; many bands simply try to copy other bands and fail miserably at it. However, a generic sound isn't always bad, as is true with Connecticut's own Signal the Escape.
Signal the Escape previously released an EP titled These Scars Are Just The Beginning, which came across as a kind of a teaser for their full-length All That You Deserve. It contained 4 of the 11 tracks from the new album, one remixed song, and the same artwork as the full-length. This EP contained most of the better songs from the new album, such as "Boys Lie" and "Exorcism in the ER."
As stated before, Signal the Escape isn't anything spectacularly new or creative. They dabble in the same musical stylings such as Story of the Year, Senses Fail, and The Wedding. Some of their songs are poppier, and some of them lean more towards the post-hardcore influences, but none of them make this band's style stand out from the hundreds of other bands copying these same formulas. However, it's not all bad. As far as this strain of bands goes, Signal the Escape is definitely on the better side of the median. Their melodies contain some post-hardcore screams, some heavier instrumental work in places, but still contain the pop elements that keep me coming back for more. The choruses are catchy, the hooks are well-placed, and their melodies keep me entertained throughout each song.
One of the things that manages to separate Signal the Escape from their contemporaries is their lyrical abilities. Most bands of this genre end up writing lyrics that simply fall flat on their face. They have no originality, and end up reverting to "emo" lyrics to convey any emotions at all. You may still find some of these "emo" influences in Signal the Escapes writing, but most of the lyrical work is far above average. From "Boys Lie," here's an example: "You are so cunning / It's disgusting the way your words fall from your lips / Insidious and innocence / I've got a plan to set this straight / It's called "two can play this game" / You're not the only one who lies." Without resorting to the emo drawl of most "cheating girlfriend" songs, Signal the Escape crafted intelligent and catchy lyrics. In "Borderline Stalker" Signal the Escape approaches the aspect of young love with the lines "Are you obsessed with me like I'm obsessed with you? / If it's not love, then what are we but two dumb kids who cannot breathe without each other? / This is borderline stalker." Lyrics like this show the band in it's top form; catchy but intelligent, their lyrics can captivate listeners from either of this band's infused genres. I've come not to expect much in terms of musicianship from most bands like Signal the Escape, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. While you may not find guitar solo's or crazy drum work, they keep the music flowing well, and all of their members seem fairly talented at their corresponding instruments.
Each song on this album is good in its own right. The first song on the album entitled "Borderline Stalker" is my favorite from the entire CD. It displays their post-hardcore influences better than any other song off the album, and perfectly blends the post-hardcore screams with the pop hooks. The single "Maudlin" is one of the better songs, with a mainly pop styling up untill the end, where the band introduces a few sparse screams. This song does the best job of showing Signal the Escapes pop flair. "Burn With Me" is a rather impressive song, even though it does sport the "emo-est" lyrics of any of their songs the vocals and melody of this track stands out amongst the other songs from the album. The chorus viciously catchy, and the lyrics are "emo" but entertaining.
Overall, Signal the Escape isn't reinventing the wheel in any way. However, they do write entertaining and catchy post-hardcore-infused pop, and they do it very well. This band has enormous potential, and the songs they write, given the opportunity, could become huge. Signal the Escape has created a very accessible album that can be appreciated from fans of multiple genres. If they continue writing songs of this caliber, there is no reason why Signal the Escape can't be considered a legit band. Besides, my wheels seem to work just fine already.
Kids in the Way, Story of the Year, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Senses Fail, Karate High School
myspace.com/signaltheescape (http://www.myspace.com/signaltheescape)
Record Label: Double Blind Music
Release Date: June 24, 2008
In today's scene, it seems like people instantly throw out any band that has a similar or "generic" sound. In some cases, this is true; many bands simply try to copy other bands and fail miserably at it. However, a generic sound isn't always bad, as is true with Connecticut's own Signal the Escape.
Signal the Escape previously released an EP titled These Scars Are Just The Beginning, which came across as a kind of a teaser for their full-length All That You Deserve. It contained 4 of the 11 tracks from the new album, one remixed song, and the same artwork as the full-length. This EP contained most of the better songs from the new album, such as "Boys Lie" and "Exorcism in the ER."
As stated before, Signal the Escape isn't anything spectacularly new or creative. They dabble in the same musical stylings such as Story of the Year, Senses Fail, and The Wedding. Some of their songs are poppier, and some of them lean more towards the post-hardcore influences, but none of them make this band's style stand out from the hundreds of other bands copying these same formulas. However, it's not all bad. As far as this strain of bands goes, Signal the Escape is definitely on the better side of the median. Their melodies contain some post-hardcore screams, some heavier instrumental work in places, but still contain the pop elements that keep me coming back for more. The choruses are catchy, the hooks are well-placed, and their melodies keep me entertained throughout each song.
One of the things that manages to separate Signal the Escape from their contemporaries is their lyrical abilities. Most bands of this genre end up writing lyrics that simply fall flat on their face. They have no originality, and end up reverting to "emo" lyrics to convey any emotions at all. You may still find some of these "emo" influences in Signal the Escapes writing, but most of the lyrical work is far above average. From "Boys Lie," here's an example: "You are so cunning / It's disgusting the way your words fall from your lips / Insidious and innocence / I've got a plan to set this straight / It's called "two can play this game" / You're not the only one who lies." Without resorting to the emo drawl of most "cheating girlfriend" songs, Signal the Escape crafted intelligent and catchy lyrics. In "Borderline Stalker" Signal the Escape approaches the aspect of young love with the lines "Are you obsessed with me like I'm obsessed with you? / If it's not love, then what are we but two dumb kids who cannot breathe without each other? / This is borderline stalker." Lyrics like this show the band in it's top form; catchy but intelligent, their lyrics can captivate listeners from either of this band's infused genres. I've come not to expect much in terms of musicianship from most bands like Signal the Escape, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. While you may not find guitar solo's or crazy drum work, they keep the music flowing well, and all of their members seem fairly talented at their corresponding instruments.
Each song on this album is good in its own right. The first song on the album entitled "Borderline Stalker" is my favorite from the entire CD. It displays their post-hardcore influences better than any other song off the album, and perfectly blends the post-hardcore screams with the pop hooks. The single "Maudlin" is one of the better songs, with a mainly pop styling up untill the end, where the band introduces a few sparse screams. This song does the best job of showing Signal the Escapes pop flair. "Burn With Me" is a rather impressive song, even though it does sport the "emo-est" lyrics of any of their songs the vocals and melody of this track stands out amongst the other songs from the album. The chorus viciously catchy, and the lyrics are "emo" but entertaining.
Overall, Signal the Escape isn't reinventing the wheel in any way. However, they do write entertaining and catchy post-hardcore-infused pop, and they do it very well. This band has enormous potential, and the songs they write, given the opportunity, could become huge. Signal the Escape has created a very accessible album that can be appreciated from fans of multiple genres. If they continue writing songs of this caliber, there is no reason why Signal the Escape can't be considered a legit band. Besides, my wheels seem to work just fine already.
Kids in the Way, Story of the Year, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Senses Fail, Karate High School
myspace.com/signaltheescape (http://www.myspace.com/signaltheescape)