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- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: We Came as Romans
Album: Understanding What We've Grown To Be
Label: Equal Vision Records
Playtime: 47:36 min
Genre: Hardcore
URL: http://www.wecameasromans.com
Rip date: 2011-09-09
Street date: 2011-09-13
Size: 95.94 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 268 kbps / 4410Hz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
We Came As Romans place enormous emphasis on the positivity of the message in
their music, and to be fair, it is a rather refreshing and encouraging
perspective. It’s not, however, the most obviously brilliant thing about this
album. You may stay for the keep-the-faith message, but you’ll show up in the
first place for a rich and powerful release brimming with depth and sentiment.
True, it’s a bit all over the place and packs everything but the kitchen sink
into its songs, but they’re exceedingly lovely, and make a stirring impact.
For someone admittedly not acquainted with their earlier efforts, it takes a
while to warm to the instant implosion of screaming and guitars here. It’s not
bad, but it doesn’t do much to stand out or endear itself until the melodies
arrive in the latter half of “Mis//Understanding.” The clean vocals of Kyle
Pavone are beautifully clear and ethereal and give the song a vivid resonance
that it would lack were it a more traditional rock song. The collision of
symphonics with rock is a touch overpowering at first, but quickly becomes a
defining and enhancing aspect of the music. “Everything As Planned” opens
strikingly, with a very theatrical symphonic sweep underpinning a more
plaintive rock song. The lush, grandiose score gives the song a real sense of
heart, which the more visceral elements serve to complement and pronounce.
The melodies throughout act as a kind of calming influence, adding a
harrowing, sentimental vibe. “What I Wished I Never Had” is a particularly
primal and forceful track, excelling in its tough and commanding sound, but
the melodies that float through it give it a sweeter and more accessible
touch. “Cast the First Stone” is a heavy song with a haunted heart. Though it
is fast, assured, even relentless, there are lots of atmospheric twinges
ensuring that the song never quite remains what you expect it to be. “The Way
That We Have Been” then introduces a string sample, further confounding
expectations. The vocals waft in and out over a hazy sound, before a blast of
carnage completely destroys the floaty intro. The two distinct styles come
together towards the end for a huge crescendo which packs all the power and
punch of a straight up metal track, but retains a graceful touch due to the
strings.
The album maintains this general trend throughout, in a series of increasingly
heavy songs fused to a more harmonious soul. It’s difficult to fault, as the
tracks all sound fantastic, but it’s worth noting that this means there’s
little in the way of individual stand outs. The record seems to be one that
has to be appreciated as a whole, never really letting up or changing style
for long enough to gain some diversity. Yet, as noted above, this isn’t
necessarily something to fault. There are some beautiful decorative touches
later on, as in “A War Inside” and “Just Keep Breathing” which both feature
flashes of freewheeling piano to add a dextrous and poignant air to the music.
The string section reappears throughout, most impressively perhaps on “What My
Heart Held” and the final track “Understanding What We’ve Grown to Be.” It
adds something of resolution to the rushing guitars and a grandiose, more
theatrical style to the tracks. On the latter in particular, it provides a
dramatic conclusion as the record goes out on a seminal high note.
We Came As Romans have, thus, navigated the troublesome sophomore (full
length) album move with ease. The record is a consummately realised work,
showing sublime artistry and vision. The use of symphonic elements in heavier
music can be an acquired taste but here the band have illustrated the flair
and style that it can add. Individual songs or singles mightn’t seem as easy
to appreciate, but as a whole, the album is a triumph.
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Mis//Understanding ( 3:57)
02. Everything as Planned ( 3:38)
03. What I Wished I Never Had ( 4:00)
04. Cast the First Stone ( 3:34)
05. The Way That We Have Been ( 3:44)
06. A War Inside ( 5:21)
07. Stay Inspired ( 3:33)
08. Just Keep Breathing ( 3:59)
09. Views That Never Cease, to Keep Me from Myself ( 3:47)
10. What My Heart Held ( 4:05)
11. I Can't Make Your Decisions for You ( 3:43)
12. Understanding What We've Grown to Be ( 4:15)
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