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| mewithoutYou - Catch for Us the Foxes | mewithoutYou - Catch for Us the Foxes
Record Label: Tooth and Nail
Release Date: October 5, 2004
After listening to mewithoutYou's debut album, A-->B Life, I was intrigued. Here was a band that seemed on the verge of creating a unique style of music: lyrically driven post-hardcore. When I heard their new release was close to hitting store shelves, I thought, "How can they expand on A-->B Life without sounding repetitive or tiring?" I was not expecting big things from mewithoutYou's sophomore effort, but after picking up Catch for Us the Foxes, I have changed my stance on this band.
I have never met a band whose fans love them as much as mewithoutYou; they really are fanatics. But mewithoutYou are not for everyone. For all the people who love them, there are the people who just don't get it. Lead singer Aaron Weiss hardly sings at all, and resorts to speaking or screaming his lyrics, which immediately turns some people off. But the fans of mewithoutYou appreciate the inflection and tone in his voice, which changes and fluctuates to create an intriguing, unique sound.
Their religious views and lyrics have some people doubting the validity of this band, as with most other "Christian" bands put in the non-Christian spotlight. But despite the Christian lyrics and undertones, Weiss' viewpoint never seems forced upon the listener, and comes off as heartfelt and earnest rather than preachy.
Catch for Us the Foxes starts off with "Torches Together", a song that goes from slow, thoughtful verses to harder choruses. It is a good start to the album, and immediately shows the change that the band went through from their first effort to this one. They have not given up on their post-hardcore approach, but still manage to sound more accessible. Their maturity blossoms on this record.
"January 1979" is the album's single, and contains one of my favorite lines ("I was floating in a peaceful sea, rescued by a sinking ship"). Simply reading the lyrics without listening to the music is a treat in itself, and once music is put to words, the listener can't help but be awestruck by the beauty of this band. On one of my favorite tracks, "Disaster Tourism", they switch to a guitar driven, slower rhythm that picks up speed as it goes on, while Weiss uses a deeper voice that sounds almost hypnotic.
"The Soviet" and "Paper Hanger" are true examples of the transition from A-->B Life to Catch For Us the Foxes. Both songs are all over the map, going from soft, lyrical melodies, to powerfully driven musicianship, all the while sounding smooth and never forced. "Four Word Letter (Pt. 2)" is easily my favorite song on the album, containing my favorite lines:
Oh, but I'm so small I can barely be seen,
How can this great love be inside of me?
But look at your eyes! They're small in size,
But they see enormous things.
The album ends with two slower paced songs that are quite good after a few listens. If I could describe mewithoutYou to a casual music fan, I would explain it as Edgar Allen Poe's writings with music set to them. Creed aside, Aaron Weiss' lyrics are heartfelt, emotional, and have meaning. Music seems to be written to the lyrics, unlike most of today's music where lyrics are thrown in as a necessity to melodies and music.
I wasn't sold on this band, and thought they were a little kooky and just another wannabe experimental/hardcore band with a below average lead singer. Once past the strange exterior of Weiss and his band mates, their music and lyrics can be addicting to all. When I ask people if they have heard of mewithoutYou, the general response is either a "no" or "haven't heard that much of them." They are like my little secret. I want people to know this band and to get into them, but I realize they aren't for everybody.
I absolutely love this album and recommend at least a few listens. Putting a little effort in will pay huge rewards. And while being on a smaller label with an out-of-the-box approach to music won't get this band much notoriety or awards, I think they like it that way. And frankly, so do I. |
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Displaying posts 1 - 15 of 21. |
07:33 PM on 09/17/07 | this album was literally life-changing. i still listen to it at least once a week. great, review, too! | | |
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07:13 AM on 09/18/07 | mewithoutYou keeps getting better and better... Brother, Sister was just as AMAZING as the other two releases. I'm really excited about their upcoming tour with Brand New and Thrice. It's cool that they are going to get so much exposure... I know that they are good friends with the guys in Brand New and it's cool that they get to go out with them... | | |
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07:42 AM on 09/18/07 | Looking forward to more from this reviewer. | | |
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08:35 AM on 09/18/07 | Josh Hamilton: The Natural Enjoyable review. Wonderful cd, and terrific band. | | |
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12:39 PM on 09/18/07 | These guys are amazing. As a Christian who generally can't stand Christian music, I love mewithoutYou because they want to make good music that pours out who they are. Wonderful lyrics make each listen an experience. I think seeing them with Thrice and Brand New will be one of the best experiences of my life. | | |
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07:22 PM on 09/18/07 | Originally Posted by Adrian Villagomez Looking forward to more from this reviewer. |
Word, son. | | |
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04:59 PM on 09/21/07 | I want to see both worlds as one... Originally Posted by Adrian VillagomezLooking forward to more from this reviewer. |
Thanks Adrian. Hopefully I can keep posting quality reviews. I really love this CD, and I believe Brother, Sister is even better. Can't wait to see them November 10th with Brand New and Thrice! | | |
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02:03 PM on 09/22/07 | this album is amazingly deep | | |
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02:43 PM on 09/22/07 | I love this band! I like Brother, Sister more than this album, but it's still great. | | |
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05:37 PM on 09/22/07 | We'll find our own way out. Great review, great CD, great band. | | |
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05:37 PM on 09/22/07 | The stillness is the move Solid review! The only album I can really get into is "Brother, Sister," but I absolutely adore the lyrics on all three. | | |
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05:41 PM on 09/22/07 | Originally Posted by PraetorSolid review! The only album I can really get into is "Brother, Sister," but I absolutely adore the lyrics on all three. |
Hah, I've never seen you so excited. | | |
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06:08 PM on 09/22/07 | The stillness is the move Originally Posted by Adrian VillagomezHah, I've never seen you so excited. |
Haha, I rarely use exclamation points, so I decided to test the waters. Guess they're not for me, lol. | | |
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12:32 AM on 09/23/07 | This cd is incredible. Probably the most sincere effort I've heard from a band in a long time. | | |
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