So glad/proud these guys kept on keeping on, despite of all the setbacks. I thoroughly enjoy the direction they're heading into and this album is just what they needed to show everyone they're alive and well - and soon to become bigger than anyone could've ever imagined. :)
Although it does sound a bit more like a continuation of The Follow Through, I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it at least a little. Kirkland has a great voice, especially live, and the guitar parts are a step above most other bands of the genre (namely in "Stay"), but I feel like the songs were almost tailor-made for the younger female audience. I think if they decided to write freely without a specific crowd in mind, they could have some pretty amazing material. With that said, I definitely enjoy what I'm hearing and look forward to what the "new" Artist vs Poet has to offer.
Semi-related, but everyone should check out AVP's original singer's old band Enter The Collector. They should have been huyge, but the broke up after a bunch of demos and an EP (Cancer, Rebuild).
RIYL: Saosin, Circa Survive, 30 Seconds To Mars, La Dispute