PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH have had it rough after crossing the pond in the same wave that brought us La Dispute and Touché Amore. With both releasing showstoppers this year, and previous PIANOS effort ‘Old Pride’ being criminally overlooked despite its well-deserved position on a number of best-of lists in 2010, the Baltimore based atmospheric hardcore quintet haven’t managed to quite reach the levels enjoyed by their peers. ‘The Lack Long After’ therefore drops onto the shelves with much anticipation and a justifiable expectation to break PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH to a much wider audience.
Right off the mark, ‘The Lack Long After’ delivers the same intensity and bone-crushing yet simultaneously heart-breaking emotional atmosphere witnessed throughout the bands catalogue. Opening track ‘I’ll Be Damned’ lays the foundation for a continuation on the incredible atmospheric onslaught throughout the eight finely crafted tracks on offer. Fans of an intense build up will not be disappointed, with each song offering their fair share of the spine-tingling moments PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH are renowned for. The haunting lead vocals only help to build upon the overall depths and destructive momentum of the LP.
Although ‘The Lack Long After’ is a great record on all accounts, it doesn’t feel like much of a step forward from the band’s previous endeavour, and a sideways strafe into familiar atmospheric territory may not do them that many favours. The album runs much like the second half of ‘Old Pride’ rather than a required explosive force. ‘Sunsetting’ and ‘Spine’ may be two of the best tracks the band have ever produced, but the majority of the first half of the album is of noticeably lower quality than any track on ‘Old Pride’.
‘The Lack Long After’ is by no means a poor release, nor is it a disengaging and repetitive listen. The negativity stems from the potential PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH displayed on ‘Old Pride’, which has been repeated rather than realised with this release. The band have the opportunity to reach and perhaps surpass the heights occupied by equally talented contemporaries, but ‘The Lack Long After’ just does not appear to be the album that will launch them into the stratosphere. For those looking for high quality billowing progressive hardcore, ‘The Lack Long After’ will suffice… for now.
BEN TIPPLE