With Roots Above And Branches Below

Every now and again I hear about a band that just can't possibly live up to their reputation. They are great live, they have more raw energy in their music than most bands, and they bring a positive message to the table. In my mind there was no way this band could really be this great. Well true to form, The Devil Wears Prada proved me wrong, they were amazing in all those ways and more. Their third album "With Roots Above And Branches Below" just came out and it just goes to show that they are progressing as a band.

The album opens with a hard hitting track and does not let up the relenting assault on the listeners eardrums until the last dissonant chord fades. This Ohio based band files under a very interesting category, Christian Hardcore. This makes them special since instead of them screaming about the devil and other dark things, if you read the lyrics you find that at their roots, The Devil Wears Prada has a positive and pure message.

Back to the album. The entire disc has a push forward feeling to it. Each and every song will stir active feelings inside of you and make it hard to sit still while listening to it. Surprises are to be had though in the melodic guitar rifts that people are not accustomed to hearing in hardcore music. The keyboards featured on most of the tracks also add a layer that a listener can appreciate.

If I had to pick one song to take the entire album and put it in a nutshell it would have to be the song Gimme Half. This song opens with a loose piano intro followed by a clear and cutting rift that gets stuck in the listener's head. Add onto this a drum part played by an expert and then add the screaming voice of Mike Hrancia and a breakdown that will have you gasping from amazement and you have one of my favorite songs on the album. 

That is not the only track on the record that deserves note. Ben Has A Kid is an epic example of the seamless change between Hrancia's voice and that of the guitarist Jeremy DePoyster, who sings clean vocals at key points in songs. This song takes melody and breaks it apart till all that is left is dissonance. They then create an effect that is like that of clouds parting and the sun coming out as DePoyster's voice leads into a new part of the song. 

Two other songs I need to mention. First is the song Assistant To The Regional Manager. This song is another song that plays hard into the strong keyboard playing the band enjoys to use and implement into their sound. Second is Louder Than Thunder. This song is like a break for the listener. It is melodic and smooth. Sung by Depoyster only the song has depends almost exclusively on his vocals. It has some piano and some drums in the back along with the guitar and bass, but all of the instruments play and accompanying roll in the music. 

This album had me worried when it first came out. I had heard little about it from anyone before I bought it and did not think it was possible for the band to follow up their previous album with anything as strong, they proved me wrong. If you are in the mood for something heavy, or if you are in the mood for something thought provoking I would recommend buying this album.

Always Listening 

Nick

21st Century Breakdown

Wow, has it really been that long since I made a post? I'm sorry. I had finals, then moving, then getting a job so I could afford music. But I am back and I bring a great album to you the reader.

Following a successful album is never easy. The artist has to live up to the greatness of the record and try to do as well this time. A lot of times the artists fall short and the audience is disappointed. This is not the case with the new Green Day album, 21st Century Breakdown. This follow up to their critically acclaimed album American Idiot, which won two Grammy's, takes the concept of political change and moves towards action. This album is a punk treat in a world where complexity is making me sick, I can't follow all those time signature changes. 

The album as a whole is another rock opera of sorts, with reoccurring melodies. Though it is best listened to straight through, each song can stand on it's own and cause a mixture of emotions. Though no where near as pervasive as their last few records, the album does contain language that may offend those who are offended by those things.

The single off the record, Know Your Enemy, forwards the call to action theme of the album. With a straight punk beat in the background, the song hits like any good punk song should: fast, hard, and angry. The song makes for a great single and leaves the listener wanting more. The album will provide more, trust me.

The next song you should notice is 21 Guns. The song is more of a ballad of sorts. I've never been one for ballads but this song is more than a ballad, it is an anthem. It speaks of surrender in a way that makes it sound like a victory and is just a masterpiece.

Horseshoes and Handgrenades is another great song. It is a dirty, grimy, gritty punk song. It is angry and is unapologetic for its attitude. The song is sticking it to the system in all the right ways. Pay attention to the spelling at the end.

The last song I'm going to mention is ¡Viva la Gloria! With its opening piano melody that is haunting and makes you feel like you have walked into an empty bar and there is Billie Joe Armstrong playing the keys and pouring out his heart. Then the drums kick the song up a notch. The new tempo makes the song push to a new fever. This song will easily make the listener understand the meaning of rock opera.

I didn't mention all 18 of the tracks on the CD but everyone deserves your undivided attention. This album is a must. Period. You need to own this album like you need three chords to write a punks song. It will make you a better person, honest.

Always Listening, 

Nick