Review: Tidus Is Alive - Stuck In Limbo

We are kinetic and directional creatures that thrive on structure and routine. We devise schedules, maps, and other micro-manageable sequences in an effort to establish a maintainable and customizable order that best fits our ever-expanding aspirations. That’s why the feeling of being “stuck in limbo” can unleash a path of devastation that can derail even the most ambitious and fluid of dreamers.  For those of you who have the luxury of never experiencing such a phenomenon, being stuck in limbo can best be equated to being stuck in a form of stasis within an ambiguous void.  It’s as if you exist on a different plane that floats between two realms. Most people become exhausted, broken, and drained from the lack of directionality, thereby rooting themselves to the immobilizing ground upon which they stand. A rare few can recognize their situation and, despite all odds, create something from it. Among these driven few stands Denny Ranno’s solo project, Tidus Is Alive.  The one-man band’s debut EP, Stuck In Limbo, features a masterful blend of pop-punk and post-hardcore that is bursting at the seams with a contagious amount of energy.

The album opens with “Step Aside”, an explosive track that burns with an undying amount of energetic musicality. A rumbling fade-in intro fast approaches before trampling your ears with a stampede of explosive riffs and pulsating percussion. Denny Ranno’s poppy, energetic riffs flourish and melt into fast-paced riffage and heavy chugging as intermittent melodic overlays and squeals playfully tug at your ears. Pulsating percussion built upon an amazing display of cymbal play and footwork adds a driving energy and rhythmic intensity that will pierce through your soul and captivate your eardrums. Ranno utilizes a brilliant blend of raw mid screams and clean vocals to make emotive verses, catchy choruses, and allow his overall vocal delivery to do exactly what it was meant to do: soar freely. Enthusiastic and lively breakdowns frequent this track, featuring a dynamic display of unison-shouted vocals and screams against flawless instrumentation. The sheer amount of energy, passion, and masterful technicality and musicality that abounds throughout the whole duration of this track earns “Step Aside” its place as the album’s absolute stand-out track.

Up next is “Checkmate”, a groovy, anthemic track that will infect your ears with passionate riffs and emotive verses. A groovy mixture of melodic riffs, grooving bass lines, and bouncy percussion immediately greet your ears from the moment you press play. Melodic chords wrestle back and forth with deep, thundering chugging to create a vibrant aural balance of harmony and discord. Lightly sustained melodic licks and driving percussion gently nip at your ears as they sail overtop the hail of emotive, fast-paced riffage. Ranno puts a primary spotlight on his clean vocals with tasteful hints of raw screams accenting his smooth, emotive vocal delivery. Spastic interludes of heavy riffage are tastefully scattered about before reaching culmination in the form of a groovy, mosh-inducing, enthusiastic breakdown that is guaranteed to produce massive head-banging to the point of whiplash with every well-placed chug, hit, kick, and scream.   

The album closes with “Robin”, a ballad that best showcases Denny Ranno’s softer side as he flexes his pop-punk prowess. Heavy riffs quickly fade in and take on a new form of melodic, toe-tapping chord progressions decorated with flecks of sustained notes and melodic overlays. Driving percussion is neither overpowering nor dull as every one of Ranno’s aptly crafted kicks, hits, and crashes perfectly complements the rest of the instrumentals. Once again, Ranno showcases his clean vocals and adds harmonies, muted effects, and sparsely-placed screams to give his vocal delivery a more emotive, relatable quality. What truly makes this track special is Ranno’s attention to smaller details to give the track more depth, such as an interlude in which sung notes replace distorted riffs, the utilization of lightly-crafted harmonies, and brief instrumental pauses for a more balanced, emotive affectation. The result is the kind of catchy, fun pop-punk ballad that your ears so desperately need.

Overall, TIdus Is Alive has created one of the most energetic split-genre releases of this year. Stuck In Limbo, despite its title, is the farthest thing from being stuck in limbo- it very clearly boasts its liveliness and fluidity with every energetic verse and catchy chorus. What’s most outstanding about this album- besides the fact that it was created in its entirety by one musician- is Ranno’s instrumental and vocal attention to detail to give the album the kind of depth that other pop-punk bands merely dream of. If Tidus Is Alive can create such vibrant musicality from being stuck in limbo, just imagine what the band can create once freed from such an uneasy and static state of being.

8.9/10

For Fans Of: Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, A Day to Remember, Hero To Human, The Day After, Well Planned Attack

Katt Hass

Review: We Stole the Weekend- We Stole the Weekend EP

               

Out of New Jersey bursts forth We Stole the Weekend, an explosive 4-piece pop-punk/post-hardcore fusion band. Their debut EP packs a punch that will have you head banging and jumping around like a 22-year-old at a basement-dwelling easycore show.

               

When I heard they were a pop-punk/post-hardcore group, I was a bit skeptical. Typically this kind of genre melding can go horribly south- often times you can hear the rift between the band members as they draw from different influences. Upon listening, I soon learned that this was not the case whatsoever. The fluidity with which both genres are blended by all of the members is phenomenal and perhaps the mark of true musicianship.

“Didn’t Mean to Offend” kicks off the album and clearly displays the band’s instrumental influence from post-hardcore. Driving percussion from “core” drums and melodic riffs mark this song.  Vocally, I was blown away.  Melodic guitar riffs and driving “core”-esque drums are paired with David Vinder’s raw vocals, creating a musical time-warp that is reminiscent of old Taking Back Sunday. Backing screams are lightly added in,  which introduces the bands easycore edge.

“Realistic Expectations” follows next, in which the band flexes their pop-punk muscle. Vinder’s vocals are clearly pop-punk influenced, sounding like a blend of Anthony Green and Joe Taylor of Knuckle Puck. The instrumentals, particularly the guitars, are in a style similar to that of Such Gold.

Up next is “Alligator Soup”, another display of pop-punk might, with a heavier twist that produces a sound much like Four Year Strong’s, but with an early 2000s alternative rock twist. Riffage in this song is heavier and features a tastefully light melodic solo from the lead guitarist.

Following that is “Before the Storm”, a pop-punk ballad that features light variations in percussion, such as handclapping and tambourine. The outro, however, is where the lead guitarist flexes his post-hardcore might with a melodic overlay that reminds you of their split-genre fusion style and ultimately sets up for their next song, “Falling Out With Susan”.

“Falling Out With Susan” is where the band returns to their heavier roots- lyrically and instrumentally, with brilliant post-hardcore/alternative rock riffs giving the listener a return to their melodic tonality (complete with a slammin’ breakdown!)  

The last track “Bill Does Something Else” is definitely where the listener can hear the band’s multiple influences crash together.  Vinder combines both styles to create a vocally diverse song that screams “fusion.” The instrumentals alone are proof, too.  Pop-Punk riffs merge to fast-paced punk riffs and are crafted in duality with the melodic post-hardcore style that makes for an almost alternative/arena-rock style, but not quite.  But they make it work musically. Several styles collide with one another, making for a musically diverse and nearly unclassifiable-yet enjoyable- sound. It’s Punk-fusion mayhem in this song, and it works.  If anything, this is probably their most interesting track. It’s as if We Stole The Weekend couldn’t decide what style to pick, so they played all of them, and made it work.           

       

Overall, We Stole the Weekend is a pretty exceptional fusion band. They definitely pull off the fusion of genres as they carve out their own unique niche within the genres while clearly paying homage to their respective influences. Their standout tracks are definitely “Didn’t Mean to Offend”, “Realistic Expectations”, and “Bill Does Something Else”. The album as a whole, however, is absolutely worth a listen. This EP won’t just steal your weekend; it’ll steal your speakers, your train of thought, and your hearing.  And we’re glad to let these guys take it all. This is a pretty exceptional album, especially for a debut EP in such an overcrowded mix of genres. I can’t wait to see what these guys do next in the future.

9/10

https://www.facebook.com/WeStoleTheWeekend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVN8sPYFLO0

The band is offering their EP up for free on their Facebook page. I recommend downloading it and giving it a listen. 

Katt Hass

Review: 5FT HIGH & RISING- "Lost" (Single)

Driving percussion and melodic riffs mark this all-too-relatable song about someone you’ve grown apart from.

5FT HIGH & RISING, signed to Noizgate Records, first jumped into the music scene in 2009, releasing their full-length album Follower in 2013. The German post-hardcore band just released their latest single, “Lost”, complete with a music video!

Engaging clean vocals from drummer, Felix, start this track before slamming the listener with headbang-able riffs and breakdowns that will have you jumping like a 17 year old at a music hall.

The guitar work is phenomenal- core riffs are beautifully paired with melodic elements to create a sound that is comparable to The Color Morale, or a sophisticated Of Mice & Men. Percussion from Felix is also wonderful, as the drums are perfectly “core” for the genre but are neither overbearing nor reliant on just a double bass pedal. The percussion is driving and relentless, never wasting a single kick or hit, even while singing.

Which leads me to their vocals- both vocalists are exceptional in their respective elements. The cleans are as powerful as the screams. Moreover, they are not out of place, as post-hardcore is a genre plagued by out of left field nasally singing. Lyrically, 5FT HIGH & RISING is as honest and emotive as they are melodic, with a chorus and verses that will have you belting and screaming lyrics at the top of your lungs:  (“I must gravely admit/with every step we take/and every victory/we knew  each other less”).

5FT HIGH & RISING have definitely hit the nail on the head with this latest release. Their instrumental & vocal execution and overall delivery leaves the listener craving for more. This is a band you definitely want to keep your eyes and ears on- I know that I will.

9/10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ypSOmZq7gA

https://www.facebook.com/ffhar

You can download the track from iTunes: http://bit.ly/11v0GTn

For fans of: The Color Morale, They Will Fall

Katt Hass

Review: Like Monroe - Things We Think, But Never Speak

      It is estimated that the human mind conceives 35-48 thoughts per minute.  In these thoughts lies the essence of life- its heart. As sentient beings, we feel and express this essence of life. We don’t just experience it- we mull through it, we dissect it, and we analyze it in milliseconds.  As exciting as sentience is, we don’t always express what we think or what we feel. Sometimes we’re ashamed of our thoughts; sometimes we’re afraid of thinking about a certain topic; sometimes it is necessary to never speak of these things.  We end up carrying these thoughts and emotions inside of us and never talk about it. We shut them up like secrets in attics. Like Monroe, however, is here to pry the lock off of your cellar door. The explosive metalcore band unleashes their best kept secrets, including rehab, interpersonal conflict(s), and relapse. Like Monroe is unafraid to put their thoughts to verse, chorus, and heavy riffs in their debut release, Things We Think, But Never Speak.

               
The album is beautifully structured, alternating between fast and heavy metalcore elements and  lighter, post-hardcore-esque elements in riffage and vocals. Overall, the balance between both styles results in a beautifully crafted melodic sound. The best part? It’s all head bang worthy.  And it will pry open your locked cellars and dust your attics as the listener sings along to each anthem, pouring out every secret emotion and thought into each relatable verse.   

               
The album opens with ‘Roswell’, a stand-out, melodic track that packs a hard punch with heavy riffage and driving percussion.  The track breaks for a tasteful acoustic interlude before slamming the listener’s ears with a reprise of the chorus. 

               
‘Black Lungs’ is another stellar heavier track, featuring metalcore vocalist Garret Rapp (The Color Morale). Driving riffs and heavy screams mark this relatable track about interpersonal conflict.

               
‘Changing Lanes’ is an exemplary lighter track on this album. This track features an engaging vocal melody backed by somber, sparse electronic riffs.  The clean guitar riffs are executed perfectly as well as the implemented minimalist percussion, creating an overall light atmosphere in a lyrically and emotionally heavy song. 

               
Fans of heavier music will definitely cherry-pick this album, but I stand by it as a whole. Things We Think, But Never Speak is a brilliant display of musical technicality. It’s an emotive album that will ensnare the listener and open the floodgates of emotion. It’s an album that has the capacity to be an outlet for the masses. Things We Think, But Never Speak is the soundtrack of our secrets in our attics. You’d be foolish to not give this whole album a listen.

               
You can pick up Like Monroe’s Things We Think, But Never Speak on iTunes and at ShopBenchmark.com!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbjqtiiTSEs

https://soundcloud.com/eone-music/like-monroe-roswell

http://www.shopbenchmark.com/likemonroe

9.5/10

For fans of: Fault Lines, The Color Morale, Favorite Weapon