Florida six piece Underoath bounce back from the disappointment of waving goodbye to front man Dallas Taylor in the middle of their 2003 Warped Tour dates with this powerful and adrenalin fuelled 10 track album. New vocals provided by Spencer Chamberlain are hurled and screamed with venom and sincere conviction as the band come up quickly behind quality groups like The Used and Taking Back Sunday in terms of sound, dual vocal harmony and passion. Not surprising that this recent effort was recorded and produced by James Wisner (Dashboard Confessional and Further Seems Forever) making this a darling for emo kids across the country.
As you listen to the record, there is sadly a lack of originality that sets this record apart from the likes of TBS and even aspects of The Movielife. But don’t panic emo fans, because that’s not to say I don’t think this record is worthy of anyone’s attention. In fact I think it’s brilliant in a completely un-original way and it is capable of big things if enough people can draw themselves away from their mainstream super heroes. Songs like “A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black And White†and “Reinventing Your Exit†are storming and well worthy of major exposure and they are solidly padded with catchy songs which will draw you to the repeat button on the first time of asking.
The album closes with “Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape†which is a perfect ender for an album that so far has been delivered at a racy tempo. It’s a deserved break from the guitar driven onslaught and gives you chance to drift with the band’s keyboards and softer sounds, as well as the stripped down melody. This album was indeed in danger of lacking this face but it contributes well to the general feel and atmosphere of the album that has been pretty intense through-out. Around 2minutes 55, it picks up the pace and plays back into the rocked up feel, turning this track from acoustic break to epic power ballad.
So, as my first Punktastic review closes up I’d have to admit that out of the pile of CD’s I had randomly picked Underoath first and I was extremely lucky as there is not really a fault I can pick at all, unoriginality aside, and it was a joy to listen to. I’d seriously recommend this record to any fans of TBS or The Movielife. In fact I did tell a good friend about how good it was and she’s already stolen it from me. Typical.
Released in the UK on Golf Records, on Tooth and Nail in the US.
Pete