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| Hawthorne Heights - If Only You Were Lonely | Hawthorne Heights - you either love 'em of hate 'em, and with this release they have a chance to reclaim any fans that put them in the 'generic screamo' pile on their last one.
I'll be honest, when 'The Silence In Black and White' was released, I fell in love with the mix of harmonies, piercing screams and technical instrumental work, but I could never shake the feeling that it had all been done before. All it takes is looking at any Hawthorne Heights forum to see how mixed the opinion of the band is. Like I said, people love them and people hate them. In my opinion, their sophomore album will change all that.
From the first track, 'This Is Who We Are', HH manage to show growth without altering their formula too much. The screams (which are one of the things HH haters love to pick on) are still there, but seem to have been dulled down a lot for this album. The focus seems to be on songwriting instead of trying to fit a certain mold. 'This Is Who We Are' is catchy as hell. It'll be emblazed in your mind after one or two listens. I found myself wanting to listen to it more and more.
After the first track, I was optimistic for the rest of the album. 'If Only You Were Lonely' is a grower. After one or two listens it becomes something you'll want to revisit over and over. It's all I've been listening to since I got the advance. Another notable song is track 5, 'Saying Sorry' - much like track 1 its really memorable, full of catchy hooks and a driving beat.
Vocal wise, JT has certainly matured in style, exploring his range more than he did on the last album, whilst retaining that trademark HH sound. Lyrically, HH may let themselves down. They were victims of bad press last year because of the topics of their songs ("Cut my wrists and black my eyes") - song titles on this release include 'We Are So Last Year' and 'Where Can I Stab Myself In The Ears'. The album may have benefited from some less generic emo-core style names, but I ask you not to be put ogg by the titles. The production on the album is much better than their last outing. There are plenty of effects on the music, clear sound and original ideas.
Every song on this album is enjoyable. Simple as that. I didn't skip any of the tracks, I just got hooked by every one. And I'm sure you will too. The choice of putting the ballad of the album, 'December', at the end of the album was a good one. The song actually reminds me of a post-summer Beach Boys tune, with a little of The Beatles thrown in for good measure, its weird but cool, and very unlike HH.
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get flamed to hell for this review, but I urge people to forget their preconceptions of this band and give this CD a listen - I think it'll be worth your time. If you don't believe me, give 'This Is Who We Are' or 'Saying Sorry' a listen.
Overall, the album is a solid sophomore effort. The band has matured musically, and reduced the amount of screaming - one of the last album's faults. They have taken their music in a new direction, and appear to have taken listener's views into account in crafting a CD which should appeal to a larger audience. So, grab a copy on February 28th 2006, and gain new insight into this talented group of guys. Give them something that all emo bands sing about - a second chance - you won't regret it.
PS. I challenge anyone who says 'Dead in the Water' doesn't sound like the old-school Spiderman theme tune. Enjoy.
Standout Tracks: 'This Is Who We Are', 'Saying Sorry', 'Language Lessons (5 Words or Less)'
Rob Taylor |
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Displaying posts 1 - 15 of 72. |
03:05 AM on 12/08/05 | I agree with most of what you say. Every song is enjoyable, I dont skip any songs. I am not sure what they changed on this album but I like it. I hated the first album except for "the Transition."
I'd say the lyrics are still kind of corny, but I think they work for the album
Standout tracks: This is who we are, Language Lessons, Light Sleeper | | |
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03:10 AM on 12/08/05 | they made another one? wow. it better be not be cliche and disappointing like The Silence in Black and White | | |
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06:18 AM on 12/08/05 | the music was an improvement from their last one, but the lyrics are still lame and the vocals are just awful. | | |
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07:06 AM on 12/08/05 | Originally Posted by Absolute Mest they made another one? wow. it better be not be cliche and disappointing like The Silence in Black and White |
This coming from a person with Mest in their name.... | | |
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07:09 AM on 12/08/05 | I fell in love with these guys when they first came out. They are great at what they are doing, who cares if it sounds like so many other bands, it's so hard to be original anymore, and you can't expect bands to be original. Being original is unoriginal these days. But this cd definitely will change a lot of opinions of people. From what I;ve head from this cd , its great, I can't wait to hear more.
Where have you guys gotten it so far? | | |
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07:15 AM on 12/08/05 | Originally Posted by Absolute Mest it better be not be cliche and disappointing like The Silence in Black and White |
Did you actually read the review? | | |
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08:13 AM on 12/08/05 | Originally Posted by codyxburnsxred I fell in love with these guys when they first came out. They are great at what they are doing, who cares if it sounds like so many other bands, it's so hard to be original anymore, and you can't expect bands to be original. Being original is unoriginal these days. But this cd definitely will change a lot of opinions of people. From what I;ve head from this cd , its great, I can't wait to hear more.
Where have you guys gotten it so far? |
your bold font it the stupidest thing i have ever read. i'm not trying to be negative, and you are right if your main goal as a band or artist is to be "unique" then you have a problem. but making groundbreaking music is not a bad thing...sufjan stevens is better than hawthorne heights for example. | | |
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08:43 AM on 12/08/05 | I agree , everyband tries to be " different" these days. I like what Hawthorne did for this record, they didn't go chance completly so they could please everyone , they did what they wanted to do a | | |
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08:49 AM on 12/08/05 | technical guitar work?
technical? they dont even play their instruments on the recording, most of it was done by studio musicians (the first album) so fuck that band. horrid live too.
technical? have you ever listened to dream theater? | | |
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08:57 AM on 12/08/05 | Originally Posted by level4loser technical guitar work?
technical? they dont even play their instruments on the recording, most of it was done by studio musicians (the first album) so fuck that band. horrid live too.
technical? have you ever listened to dream theater? |
dream theater would be pissed you even mentioned their name with reference to muscianship, in a review for hh. | | |
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10:17 AM on 12/08/05 | I think this cd will cease all the shit-talking this band gets. It is a very good record with several great songs (Language Lessons, Saying Sorry) | | |
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10:30 AM on 12/08/05 | Originally Posted by level4loser technical guitar work?
technical? they dont even play their instruments on the recording, most of it was done by studio musicians (the first album) so fuck that band. horrid live too.
technical? have you ever listened to dream theater? |
Because Band A's guitar work is "more technical" than Band B's means that Band B's guitar work isn't technical? By that measure, there is only one band in existence that has technical guitar work.
Think about it. | | |
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11:11 AM on 12/08/05 | whatever. the music on this album is not original, it's not creative, and it's not technical. it's full of songs engineered to sell a billion copies. and it probably will. for music that completely lacks creativity, it will do exactly what it's supposed to. you think their last album had been done before? this album has been done before a hundred times over, just not with the name "hawthorne heights" on it.
that being said, the production IS much better, and the songs are more complete. i'm simply saying that nothing on this album is new, creative, or original. i don't think this will change anyone's opinion of the band...noone that hated TSIBAW is suddenly going to love this album. i don't like either albums, but i respect that HH is just in this to make some dough, not make interesting music. anyone that thinks this album is original or creative needs to listen to some more music. oh yeah, the closing ballad "december" is one of the cheesiest, worst songs i've ever heard. | | |
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