Still Rings True - Tear Down The Walls
Record Label: Third Time Lucky Records
Release Date: June 10, 2011
I wrote a review of Still Rings True's EP, Anger Is A Gift, and to sum it up, I liked it but it didn't blow me away. You could hear the potential but the band didn't quite reach it yet. However, with the Syracuse, New York based 3 piece's latest full length, Tear Down The Walls, the band gives us an album that should be held in the same breath as the likes of Balance and Composure, Man Overboard, Such Gold, and the rest of this new age pop-punk/hardcore movement.
The biggest difference you find in this band compared to its peers is that there is zero lyrical content about love and heartache. It's all about social, economic, and political reform. Not in a radical way, but it's all about empowerment and striving for better. I could go on and on and list you the myriad of lyrics that the band says, but you can listen for yourself.
If you have listened to Still Rings True before, you know what to expect: breakneck drum beats, old school hardcore riffs, and lots of harmonies from guitarist Josh Snyder and bassist Leo LaMay. This is both a blessing and a curse for the band because you can hear improvement from the band but if you're a new listener the songs will blend together. The song structures are very much the same in every song, and it becomes repetitive after awhile. If you have listened to older work from the band, you can hear a vast step up in their melodies and chord progression.
The album kicks off with the title track and immediately sets the tone for the album as Snyder belts "Light a match and burn this mother fucker to the ground!" From there, it transitions seamlessly into "This Is A Threat." The band elected to re-record their entire Anger Is A Gift EP so you get revamped and improved tracks from an already solid EP.
My favorite track on the record happens to come from one of the later tracks, "Empty Words." The song has an extremely unique opening guitar riff and an eventual solo that incorporates a very metal sound. The subject matter is all about celebrities and prominent public figures that are puppets and completely fake.
Overall, Tear Down The Walls should be mentioned in the same breath as many of the aforementioned bands and has the capability to catch on very quickly in the underground.
this literally sounds nothing like Balance And Composure. not in the least
I don't think that is what he is implying. He means that they fit in with this new wave of bands that are all kind of tight nit and have a similar fan base (despite the difference in genre). For instance, I would throw The Wonder Years, Touche Amore, B&C, Man Overboard, La Dispute, etc all into this group. Kind of the whole Run For Cover/No Sleep scene.
What's the track listing for this? I'm excited. Especially since I haven't heard Anger Is A Gift yet.
I don't think that is what he is implying. He means that they fit in with this new wave of bands that are all kind of tight nit and have a similar fan base (despite the difference in genre). For instance, I would throw The Wonder Years, Touche Amore, B&C, Man Overboard, La Dispute, etc all into this group. Kind of the whole Run For Cover/No Sleep scene.
What's the track listing for this? I'm excited. Especially since I haven't heard Anger Is A Gift yet.
yeah that's cool and all but if I'm looking at a review and it says "reccomended if you like so and so" I think bands that actually, you know, actually sound like the one being reviewed should be listed.
yeah that's cool and all but if I'm looking at a review and it says "reccomended if you like so and so" I think bands that actually, you know, actually sound like the one being reviewed should be listed.
My bad, didn't realize you were referring to the RIYL. I'd have to agree with you on that one.
some of the tracks that stood out to me were I Am Ghost because of the unexpected breakdown towards the end and Empty Words with the nice solo also towards the end
this record is way beyond set your goals. i can see how to the superficial listener a comparison would seem sensible, but once you dig past the fact that they both play skate beat, you'll unravel the true core of both bands, leaving one leaps and bounds ahead of the other in skill, message, intergrity. syg is a joke.
Browse Reviews
Write a Review
Alphabetized Listing
Popular Reviews
Best New Music
View Artist Profile
View News Articles
Stream the Music
Buy the Album or MP3s
View Profile Picture
View Signature
Posts: 2,908
View Blog
Follow This Review
More Reviews By This Author