Hidden In Plain View Review

[Kamtin Mohager]

On February 22nd, Hidden In Plain View (http://www.hiddeninplainview.com) will release their debut record titled Life In Dreaming. You can read my review of the album right here (http://www.absolutepunk.net/reviews/showproduct.php?product=594).

[greyxmundos]

the production on this album blows me away. go eagles

[hate to me]

woot

[shane hennessey]

i thought it was a prettty good album overall. review is right on

[chaoticXpunk]

Never heard anything from HIPV, but after reading the review, may have to check them out. I kinda like the cover art, too.

[Absent Stars]

i cant get enough of "garden statement", awesome song, awesome album!

[sensesfail4]

the review just makes me want to get the album more. ive listened to a couple of songs off it & so far i like what i hear

[selftitled85]

the cd is a real good cd. i looove it. garden statement is an amazing song. but kamtin you need to describe more on the cd. your reviews leave a lot to be desired for.

[mr. destiny]

uh. this review tells us like nothing about the actual CD. can we please get somebody to spend more than 5 minutes writing a review on it? I'm sick of these awful one paragraph reviews, Kamtin - and you do EVERYTHING drive-thru releases. I demand a second review of this CD, have scott or ryan, or hell even caleb do it.

[Kamtin Mohager]

uh. this review tells us like nothing about the actual CD. can we please get somebody to spend more than 5 minutes writing a review on it? I'm sick of these awful one paragraph reviews, Kamtin - and you do EVERYTHING drive-thru releases. I demand a second review of this CD, have scott or ryan, or hell even caleb do it.

I love you, too. Sorry, man. I feel like I get the point across, and a lot of people are happy with my writing. Email another reviewer and have them review it, as well.

[xcorruptpunkx]

i hope they play some of that new stuff on saturday...!!

[falloutncambria]

uh. this review tells us like nothing about the actual CD. can we please get somebody to spend more than 5 minutes writing a review on it? I'm sick of these awful one paragraph reviews, Kamtin - and you do EVERYTHING drive-thru releases. I demand a second review of this CD, have scott or ryan, or hell even caleb do it.

listen to the cd when it comes out and draw your own conclusions tool. who says that?

[Oxbig1106]

AP really needs to stop giving everything high scores.. I'd only give this maybe a 5/10. Its good, but it's nothing special. I was let down, it was nowhere near as good as the last EP.

[selftitled85]

AP really needs to stop giving everything high scores.. I'd only give this maybe a 5/10. Its good, but it's nothing special. I was let down, it was nowhere near as good as the last EP.


how can you say the ep is better then this? the ep was horrible. i think the new cd obliterates the ep. i had lost hope after the ep cuz i thought it was a step back from op cut throat.

[joevember]

The review may have been a little short and a little cliche but it wasnt that bad. This cd is actually pretty good. Its just as good as their ep. I think that if your unhappy with the review then you should make one and post it in the replys. that way we can see wat the majority says and see for ourselves if we think its good or not. I agree that the reviews need to be a little more detailed, but thats where you guys come in.

[screamoURI]

please, please, don't go mainstream.

[PunkDrums182]

I love The Point.

[Drew Beringer]

I cannot wait for this disc to release!

[thesego211]

I too would like a more extensive review. I like reviews that have a song by song breakdown of the album. Kamtin usually posts great reviews, so I'll cut him a break on this one. I'm still stoked for this cd though.

[OveriseFan]

please, please, don't go mainstream.

umm, that's unnecessary...

What in god's name made you think they'd go 'mainstream'

[SwedishHeat]

I totally can't get into this band. Their sound seems totally generic and derivative. I can't really put my finger on who they sound like, but it just seems like they sound like the "genre" in general. There's not really anything special about their sound. I guess I just think they sound plain. It's just weird though, because usually Drive-Thru bands get ripped apart by most on this board. For example, I remember when The Early November and Steel Train first got signed and EVERYONE was saying "what the fuck??" People were ripping them apart based merely on those first promo pictures.

Eh, I felt like reminiscing.

[AreTwoKay]

I love this cd the new versions of "20 Below" and "An American Classic" are sweeet

[selftitled85]

I love this cd the new versions of "20 Below" and "An American Classic" are sweeet


20 below i agree on. but i loved the poppiness on the original and i think they butchered that in this version.

[jcmoney]

I love this album, but come on 11 songs? Especially since Bleed For You has been on every DTR sampler for 6 months, Ashes Ashes plays whenever you goto DTR.com, and American Classic and 20 Below are both old songs re-recorded. That leaves 7 new songs. Granted, these songs are for the most part very, very good, its still just 7 songs i havent really heard of (not counting hearing The Point and Garden Statement live). Thats my main gripe with the record.

For those who kinda wanted a song by song review type thing, ill give a brief synopsis.

Bleed For You - Everyones heard this song already, if you havent, shame on you. I personally liked the early demos that were on Purevolume a while back better, but its still a nice opener to the cd.

Ashes Ashes - This song really grows on you, its a lot louder than a lot of their older stuff, with a harder feel that you can see as a growing trend through about half this album. (Especially when you compare 20 Below and An American Classic to their re-recorded counterparts). Structure wise, its very similar to Bleed For You, but its a great, fast song that kinda pumps you up and gets you excited for the rest of the album.

A Minor Detail - The opening to this song kinda grabs you into the song and makes you wana hear more. It continues the new sounding HIPV that i mentioned before. The dual vocals sound really great here, and it really adds to the song. Its relatively short running under 3 minutes, but its fun and fast and you can't really complain.

The Point - Here you hear the other half of their new sound, which is vastly different. I dont know if this is a great analogy, but the kind of sound they have in this song reminds me a little of Dashboard. Its slower and its a bit of a changeup and i can easily see some people not liking this song, but i like it a lot.

Twenty Below - This is probably the low point of the CD. If you haven't heard any of their other stuff you'll probably love this song. But when I listen to it, I kinda wonder why someone would mess with a song that was already great. It feels a little bit like a cover, its still good I just dont like it as much as the original.

Garden Statement - I'm pretty sure this is my favorite song on the disc. Its got a great chorus, and just a great overall feel to it. I dont really have a lot to say about it besides its an awesome song thats a lot of fun to listen too.

The Innocent Ones - This is a longgg slow song, over six and a half minutes. I like the song a lot but i think it kinda drags on. I really love this song up until you get to around the 4 minute mark, when I start to wonder why it drags on so long. Its a nice, chill instrumental break after thats good but I find myself kinda waiting for it to end.

American Classic - You can really hear the new HIPV sound in this song when you compare it to the version on Operation: Cut-Throat. This was my favorite HIPV song but I feel in the new version it got kinda harder and loses a little of the poppy fun, which some people will really enjoy but for me the old version has a place in my heart.

In Memory - This is another fast, harder song that I really like. I just am getting a little sick of the whole fast intro, slowed down verse, and then fast chrous structure that they use in a lot of their songs.

Top 5 Additions - Another short song under 3 minutes, but its nothing really special so you dont really mind it. If it went on any longer it would probably get boring. Its got a nice hook but it just seems a little repetitive.

Halcyon Daze - This is a great closing song. The intro pulls you in and makes you wana keep listening. The piano is a great addition that could be incorporated into some of their other slow songs. There is just something about this song that I love, it really is a great track.

Yeah, i dont really review CDs so that kinda sucks but hey its my 2 cents and hopefully it helps some people out. If not February 22nd is only a month away and I cant wait to get my CD and T-Shirt, or you can drop 350 on ebay and have it tommorrow.

[thesego211]

Thanks man. I thought it was a pretty good review. That's more what I'm looking for on this site. Thanks

[coandca33]

I totally can't get into this band. Their sound seems totally generic and derivative. I can't really put my finger on who they sound like, but it just seems like they sound like the "genre" in general. There's not really anything special about their sound. I guess I just think they sound plain. It's just weird though, because usually Drive-Thru bands get ripped apart by most on this board. For example, I remember when The Early November and Steel Train first got signed and EVERYONE was saying "what the fuck??" People were ripping them apart based merely on those first promo pictures.

Eh, I felt like reminiscing.

i dont download cds so i havent heard this new cd yet, but if you ask me, on their EP the band they sounded like was what Senses Fail sounded like on their EP. Same kind of singer and lyrics in my opinion.

[joevember]

I love this album, but come on 11 songs? Especially since Bleed For You has been on every DTR sampler for 6 months, Ashes Ashes plays whenever you goto DTR.com, and American Classic and 20 Below are both old songs re-recorded. That leaves 7 new songs. Granted, these songs are for the most part very, very good, its still just 7 songs i havent really heard of (not counting hearing The Point and Garden Statement live). Thats my main gripe with the record.

For those who kinda wanted a song by song review type thing, ill give a brief synopsis.

Bleed For You - Everyones heard this song already, if you havent, shame on you. I personally liked the early demos that were on Purevolume a while back better, but its still a nice opener to the cd.

Ashes Ashes - This song really grows on you, its a lot louder than a lot of their older stuff, with a harder feel that you can see as a growing trend through about half this album. (Especially when you compare 20 Below and An American Classic to their re-recorded counterparts). Structure wise, its very similar to Bleed For You, but its a great, fast song that kinda pumps you up and gets you excited for the rest of the album.

A Minor Detail - The opening to this song kinda grabs you into the song and makes you wana hear more. It continues the new sounding HIPV that i mentioned before. The dual vocals sound really great here, and it really adds to the song. Its relatively short running under 3 minutes, but its fun and fast and you can't really complain.

The Point - Here you hear the other half of their new sound, which is vastly different. I dont know if this is a great analogy, but the kind of sound they have in this song reminds me a little of Dashboard. Its slower and its a bit of a changeup and i can easily see some people not liking this song, but i like it a lot.

Twenty Below - This is probably the low point of the CD. If you haven't heard any of their other stuff you'll probably love this song. But when I listen to it, I kinda wonder why someone would mess with a song that was already great. It feels a little bit like a cover, its still good I just dont like it as much as the original.

Garden Statement - I'm pretty sure this is my favorite song on the disc. Its got a great chorus, and just a great overall feel to it. I dont really have a lot to say about it besides its an awesome song thats a lot of fun to listen too.

The Innocent Ones - This is a longgg slow song, over six and a half minutes. I like the song a lot but i think it kinda drags on. I really love this song up until you get to around the 4 minute mark, when I start to wonder why it drags on so long. Its a nice, chill instrumental break after thats good but I find myself kinda waiting for it to end.

American Classic - You can really hear the new HIPV sound in this song when you compare it to the version on Operation: Cut-Throat. This was my favorite HIPV song but I feel in the new version it got kinda harder and loses a little of the poppy fun, which some people will really enjoy but for me the old version has a place in my heart.

In Memory - This is another fast, harder song that I really like. I just am getting a little sick of the whole fast intro, slowed down verse, and then fast chrous structure that they use in a lot of their songs.

Top 5 Additions - Another short song under 3 minutes, but its nothing really special so you dont really mind it. If it went on any longer it would probably get boring. Its got a nice hook but it just seems a little repetitive.

Halcyon Daze - This is a great closing song. The intro pulls you in and makes you wana keep listening. The piano is a great addition that could be incorporated into some of their other slow songs. There is just something about this song that I love, it really is a great track.

Yeah, i dont really review CDs so that kinda sucks but hey its my 2 cents and hopefully it helps some people out. If not February 22nd is only a month away and I cant wait to get my CD and T-Shirt, or you can drop 350 on ebay and have it tommorrow.
You see.....That is exactly wat i am talking about that we need. Now if onyl more than one person would do that, we would be smooth sailing. Way to go dude

[cut the tension]

i dont download cds so i havent heard this new cd yet, but if you ask me, on their EP the band they sounded like was what Senses Fail sounded like on their EP. Same kind of singer and lyrics in my opinion.

That makes absolutely no sense....(s fail - HAR HAR).

But for real, HIPV has been a band for almost 5 years now. They played shitty little VFW halls in Northern NJ long before Senses Fail even existed. If anything Senses Fail should be accused of trying to bite THEIR style. (Or everyone else's.)

But that's besides the point. They sound nothing alike.

[beauty is dead]

i cant wait to hear this cd.

[selftitled85]

hipv > herpes > senses fail

[Trainwrecker]

"I'll be the only person in a two mile radius listening to this."

No, you won't be. I'm sure plenty of Drive-Thru loving 14 year olds will be thinking they're rebelling against their parents and buying this record. Get off it Tate, this is a shitty record. And there's no bands you listen to a million other kids haven't heard of. You're not being new, or cutting edge. When I read what you type on this site, I have a hard time convincing myself you're not actually 15.

And Kamtin, or whatever your name is, your reviews really, really do leave a lot to be desired. And no, you don't get the point across. You just tell everybody how much you like the cd, and then devote a sentance or two to how the music sounds. How you got to be a staff reviewer, is really beyond me.

[poppa Q]

I love The Point.
i just cannot make up my mind about that song. i love some parts, i hate some parts. it's growing on me, though.

[joevember]

hipv > herpes > senses fail
HAHA...right on dude. Senses fail is selling out anyways. Plus they bend each other over

[Mitch]

I don't like most Drive-Thru bands, but I'm having an open mind and giving this one a chance. I just started listening to it and I don't have an opinion yet but it actually sounds pretty good.

[Mobames]

"I'll be the only person in a two mile radius listening to this."

No, you won't be. I'm sure plenty of Drive-Thru loving 14 year olds will be thinking they're rebelling against their parents and buying this record. Get off it Tate, this is a shitty record. And there's no bands you listen to a million other kids haven't heard of. You're not being new, or cutting edge. When I read what you type on this site, I have a hard time convincing myself you're not actually 15.

And Kamtin, or whatever your name is, your reviews really, really do leave a lot to be desired. And no, you don't get the point across. You just tell everybody how much you like the cd, and then devote a sentance or two to how the music sounds. How you got to be a staff reviewer, is really beyond me.

Wow you are soooooo HELLA cool.

[Kamtin Mohager]

"I'll be the only person in a two mile radius listening to this."

No, you won't be. I'm sure plenty of Drive-Thru loving 14 year olds will be thinking they're rebelling against their parents and buying this record. Get off it Tate, this is a shitty record. And there's no bands you listen to a million other kids haven't heard of. You're not being new, or cutting edge. When I read what you type on this site, I have a hard time convincing myself you're not actually 15.

And Kamtin, or whatever your name is, your reviews really, really do leave a lot to be desired. And no, you don't get the point across. You just tell everybody how much you like the cd, and then devote a sentance or two to how the music sounds. How you got to be a staff reviewer, is really beyond me.

Oh my god! Someone is talking shit about me. What shall I do? ;)

[surfwaxsideshow]

For generi-core, they are pretty good, but that is all they'll ever be. I don't hate them but they are boooring.

[bleedingemo]

"I'll be the only person in a two mile radius listening to this."

No, you won't be. I'm sure plenty of Drive-Thru loving 14 year olds will be thinking they're rebelling against their parents and buying this record. Get off it Tate, this is a shitty record. And there's no bands you listen to a million other kids haven't heard of. You're not being new, or cutting edge. When I read what you type on this site, I have a hard time convincing myself you're not actually 15.

And Kamtin, or whatever your name is, your reviews really, really do leave a lot to be desired. And no, you don't get the point across. You just tell everybody how much you like the cd, and then devote a sentance or two to how the music sounds. How you got to be a staff reviewer, is really beyond me.

i've decided you might just be the biggest asshole on the forum, and thats saying a lot around here..

[Ambien]

i cant get enough of "garden statement", awesome song, awesome album!

That's the song that hit me on my first listen, agreed...amazing songs, amazing album. At the moment I can't get enough of The Innocent Ones, Makes me want to climax at the song's climax.

[varock]

great album.

i had high expectations and they were met. i can't wait to pick this one up in stores.

[Trainwrecker]

Calling me an asshole won't make HIPV make better music, nor will it make Kamtin a better writer.

HIPV is bland, boring, and generic, and hey if that's your thing, more power to you, but I can't stand it, and I'm going to state my opinion on it. Deal, kid.

[Adeniz19]

i've decided you might just be the biggest asshole on the forum, and thats saying a lot around here..
hmm you might be right but he still has more scene points then you. haha

[makebelieve327]

For generi-core, they are pretty good, but that is all they'll ever be. I don't hate them but they are boooring.

I feel the same way. They are enjoyable at times.

[kef300]

I also thought the review was weak.. and it sounds like this guy only listened to the first 4 tracks of the album and then got lazy

[WalmartPhotoGuy]

Everyone is way to biased on music. I like HIPV and I completely respect that some people think it's boring or generic. We can't all agree on everything now, can we? It's just annoying when people continuely bash on a band. Saying you don't like them is good enough.

[Ambien]

Everyone is way to biased on music. I like HIPV and I completely respect that some people think it's boring or generic. We can't all agree on everything now, can we? It's just annoying when people continuely bash on a band. Saying you don't like them is good enough.

I totally agree...let me refer you to this other topic I started, it got pretty intense but I was simply saying what you said. Simply state your opinion and don't disrespect a hard working band by pointlessly cruel in what you say.

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=58114&page=1&pp=15

[PhDecontrol]

the EP was boring and generic. the CD is less boring and generic. but for christ's sake, can SOMEONE outside of Say Anything do ANYTHING NEW!?!?

[Throwback]

the EP was boring and generic. the CD is less boring and generic. but for christ's sake, can SOMEONE outside of Say Anything do ANYTHING NEW!?!?

Complete agreement, but I do like the new HIPV, even tho I accept that its nothing special.