My Heart to Joy – Reasons to Be EP
Record Label: Topshelf Records
Release Date: December 21, 2010
I'll try not to bring this up again after this review (especially since I've brought it up in almost everything else I have haphazardly penned on this site), but last year was quite phenomenal if you were into the scene and tired of faux-scream. Through the community of bands not only here in Texas, but also the touring ones coming through, I was able to breathe again standing in front of pizza shop windows and record store small shows.
More evident than just the growth of the what I'm deeming the "#tourlife community" seen back in the '80s and '90s D.I.Y. scene (see also: American Hardcore and Burning Fight), but it's the instant gratification of grasping something raw as it wraps like a new winter coat. One of those sleeper hits in the last two years was from My Heart to Joy with Seasons in Verse. Slightly less in production (but that's a standout about it) than say an album like Tell All Your Friends or In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, it certainly carried a familiar swagger. But sadly, it seemed to blow under the radar for many.
The band has finally released their three song follow-up. My Heart to Joy have come back and amped up production with Reasons to Be, which makes them sound less like a throwback and a bit more contemporary. The bright tinge of the opening guitar lick on "Farewell to a Raincloud" match up to a more harmonic change in vocals, losing a sense of raspiness on early 7" releases and last year's LP especially. After repeat listens, I'm in between whether this is a natural progression of production or a step back on the early ripe sound that made me fall for the band in the first place.
The girl next door hasn't changed her personality though, as the simplistic tongue still runs through the three tracks as similar rhythmic chops carry along "Taken With a Presence," another great song from the guys. But as "Steady Habits" acts like a quick bridge between the opening and closing of the short EP, things tend to run together, and the three songs act better in your latest playlist mix than as a quick record. My Heart to Joy are still showing they've got what it takes as a band among the #tourlife scene that is sure to blow up in the next few years. Reasons to Be is slick and will add a few new tracks for that afternoon ride around on the weekend. For the band's own good, I hope they continue to stick to their talents and keep a little grit under their pits without cleaning up into something forgettable.
Seasons in Verse was the shit. I still remember hearing "Giving My Hands Away" and thinking, my god. This definitely slicker sounding, and I'm not sure it's the best move for them specifically. Still pretty solid though.
Seasons in Verse was the shit. I still remember hearing "Giving My Hands Away" and thinking, my god. This definitely slicker sounding, and I'm not sure it's the best move for them specifically. Still pretty solid though.
exactly. I don't why they went with it, but it didn't take away from the actual music, which is good, but I do miss that grit a bit and hope it doesn't progress into something forgettable. this band is so poised to standout.
Yeah, this is good but Seasons in Verse is fantastic. It's one of my favourite albums ever. This isn't even close. Dudes, I generally appreciate "progression", but it's not always the best thing.
This was largely my sentiments when I first heard early demos for it as well (sheesh, nearly a year ago now... this EP's been a long time coming). I definitely initially missed the grit that came along with the earlier material and what initially made this band so enjoyable for me to begin with. This EP has grown on me so much since then though. but hey, who am I?
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