Woe, Is Me – Number[s]
Record Label: Velocity/Rise Records
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Innovation is one key aspect as to what makes a good album, great. Sort of an ultimate conquest of every musician striving for greatness. The divine factor that transforms a bland compilation of musical composition into something that is viewed as more than just music, but as art. Seven-piece, electronica/metalcore outfit known to the world as Woe, Is Me must have missed this memo. Now, I can’t say I blame them.
Formed in early 2010 by various members of now defunct bands, Woe, Is Me was signed to Rise Records based off a few thousand Myspace plays, months before they even set foot on a stage for the first time as a band. Naivety and callowness are two things to be expected with their Rise debut titled Number[s]. And it’s safe to say, Woe, Is Me didn’t disappoint. Though one could say that this debut lacks maturity, a single word rises above all the congregation of detrimental ones. This word, is promise. Take this album lightly, and one will likely find that the entire 10 song album runs together in one big, thirty minute lump of screaming breakdowns. I must admit that after the first four tracks (intro included) I couldn’t help but to feel this exact same perception.
Twenty seconds into opener, and first single, “[&] Delinquents” Woe, Is Me shows exactly what the core goal of the band is. Chug-laden breakdowns accompanied by undeniably dull drum fills. All strung together by generic screaming and a subtle, well-incorporated sense of synthesizer and programming. The usage of synth, though not overused, is very present from the first track on. And for what it’s worth, key master Ben Ferris contrives very interesting synth variations that make up for the lack of creativity in the guitars and drums.
Along with the somewhat impressive programming, clean vocalist, Tyler Carter, shows the listener what the supreme component of Woe, Is Me is. Carter lays out an incredibly solid vocal performance throughout the entirety of the album that is unheard of by most of the other bands in the genre. Though, most of the time Carter’s angelic crooning is crudely interrupted by the same scream-chug repeat formula described earlier. Luckily, as the album moves on, Woe, Is Me starts to slightly break away from the binds of generality and show some initiative. In songs like “Hell, or High Water” and “I,” (two of the first tracks recorded by the band), Woe, Is Me hands over most of the vocal duties to Carter and only uses the screams of co-frontman Michael Bohn as a background outlet to off-set the mighty range of Carter.
Of the last few songs on the record, nestled nicely between the two tracks featuring Jonny Craig of Emarosa and Dance Gavin Dance, is my stand out track, “If Not, For Ourselves.” I don’t know what was happening in the minds of these seven gentlemen when they wrote this song, but it seems that it is a little different from the norm of the other, rather predictable songs that litter Number[s]. Guitarists Tim Sherrill and Kevin Hanson lay down an above average performance, which compared to the rest of the record makes the riffs in this song stand out. Drummer Austin Thornton also shows off his full capability, mixing up the fills and not reverting back to the same “china-china-snare-paradiddlediddle-bell” formula that is rehashed on almost every preceding songs. “If Not, For Ourselves” alone gives me hope that this band can create something great in the future.
The record ends with a slower, program-lead track, in which Carter and Craig show off both of their vocal talents in a rather Justin Timberlake-like fashion. This track is nothing but refreshing to hear, until the song crashes at the end with the exact same breakdown used in nearly every other song.
All in all, I feel that Woe, Is Me has something good going for them here. With a little more time and effort as a band (and possibly a member change here or there), I suspect that they could very well create something great. But if they keep releasing sub-par records like Number[s], I fear they will be irrevocably deemed as a bust.
I understand why you think the album is over saturated with breakdowns, however many people fail to understand that breakdowns are the cue for mosh pits basically, and it's really awesome to see this band live, and considering that their clean vocalist is very talented, this band is actually fairly unique. But I do understand, the album as a whole is okay, it gets monotonous after a while.
I understand why you think the album is over saturated with breakdowns, however many people fail to understand that breakdowns are the cue for mosh pits basically, and it's really awesome to see this band live, and considering that their clean vocalist is very talented, this band is actually fairly unique. But I do understand, the album as a whole is okay, it gets monotonous after a while.
You can have a breakdown without constant chugs. See: Underoath.
I don't think I've ever heard UO chug and some of their breakdowns are downright vicious.
You can have a breakdown without constant chugs. See: Underoath.
I don't think I've ever heard UO chug and some of their breakdowns are downright vicious.
I'm not a fan of underoath, but I did have a chance of seeing them as the opener to A Day To Remember, and they played after The Word Alive and Close Your Eyes, and believe me, a good amount of the crowd lost interest during Underoath, but during the other bands everyone was going nuts. Isn't it true they not even have any founding members anymore?
I see what you mean though, most breakdowns are chugging, but Underoath isn't the greatest example to use as a band who still has great breakdowns without chugging, at least from my perspective.
I'm not a fan of underoath, but I did have a chance of seeing them as the opener to A Day To Remember, and they played after The Word Alive and Close Your Eyes, and believe me, a good amount of the crowd lost interest during Underoath, but during the other bands everyone was going nuts. Isn't it true they not even have any founding members anymore?
I see what you mean though, most breakdowns are chugging, but Underoath isn't the greatest example to use as a band who still has great breakdowns without chugging, at least from my perspective.
Just because the breakdowns aren't blatantly obvious so stupid scene kids can't recognize them doesn't mean they aren't there.
Underoath is by far the most talented of all those bands, and I went to the same tour and they were also by far the most enjoyable to watch from a music lovers stand-point. Yeah if you like to party the otherbands are fun, but I'm more of respecterkf talent.
Just because the breakdowns aren't blatantly obvious so stupid scene kids can't recognize them doesn't mean they aren't there.
Underoath is by far the most talented of all those bands, and I went to the same tour and they were also by far the most enjoyable to watch from a music lovers stand-point. Yeah if you like to party the otherbands are fun, but I'm more of respecterkf talent.
I hate scene kids as much as the next guy, and I think a better example of a band without obvious breakdowns would be Set Your Goals, from my point of view at least.
And as far as Woe, Is Me goes, they should incorporate more synth into their breakdowns and have intricate melodies playing along with the chugging, similar to The Word Alive.
And I'm gonna catch these guys at a concert in a few weeks with a bunch of other bands, and I'm sure they'll put on a great show, supposedly their singer is great live.
I hate scene kids as much as the next guy, and I think a better example of a band without obvious breakdowns would be Set Your Goals, from my point of view at least.
And as far as Woe, Is Me goes, they should incorporate more synth into their breakdowns and have intricate melodies playing along with the chugging, similar to The Word Alive.
And I'm gonna catch these guys at a concert in a few weeks with a bunch of other bands, and I'm sure they'll put on a great show, supposedly their singer is great live.
Well Set Your Goals do chug in a lot of their breakdowns, just not as much. Underoath is completely void of chugging.
I agree, but The Word Alive is equally mediocre.
And I've heard the same, hope you have a good time.
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