Okay, so… Victory Records have a recent propensity for signing some “interesting” acts. Design The Skyline jump straight to mind in that “what the hell are you playing at, Brummel?” category, but don’t let a few (dozen) unconventional signings from the label tar your enjoyment of COUNTERPARTS.
‘The Current Will Carry Us’ is gimmick free, straightforward post-hardcore, full of great instrumental work and interesting ideas. Though it’s hard to call the record a gamechanger, the caliber of the talent on display is unquestionable, and none of the songs are dragged out for a second longer than they need to be.
Clocking in at just under 35 minutes for 11 songs, there’s no doubt that Counterparts are a no fuss band with a desire to let their music speak for them, and the band are a great signing for Victory.
‘Sinking’, ‘Optimist’ and ‘The Constant’ are the big moments of the album, but it’s another case of a record to stick on and enjoy as a whole, and there’s plenty for most hardcore and post-hardcore fans to enjoy here.
There’s a few sequences where the band could have actually tried to do a little more with already great ideas, but the no bullshit approach is refreshing, and it’s a great late-in-the-year release that many will enjoy.
TOM AYLOTT