Architects - The Here And Now
Hailing from the UK is Architects, these fellows are not to be confused with other bands under a similar moniker. The Here And Now is their 3rd release and was facing an uphill battle int he wake of Hollow Crown, their 2nd release. This band has been kicking at the knees of the giants in the scene and with this release have decided to set their aim slightly higher between the legs.
Progressive can be a dirty word in music, one that can alienate fans and set band sup for criticism, both are prevalent here. Vocalist Sam Carter's signature throat ripping screams have been a staple in their sound has opted to include singing this time around as well. The blend of the two had instantly alienated fans upon release of their first singles, and with the release of the album has shown it is a consistent theme of it. However the only issue with the singing, is that there is no real issue. No one wants to just be yelled at for 50 minutes on end, and this dynamic difference may be just what was missing from their ascent to the top. While Hollow Crown was absolutely a pure heavy as hell record there was not much separating them, save a few. This time while a few tracks drop off as filler, the overwhelming majority is a memorable album filled with big choruses and those jump out of your seat parts they do so well. The only negative draw tot his album are the tracks they veered too far away from what they are best at, such as "Heartburn" which comes across way to emo for this group. Do yourself a favor and pick this solid album up, but maybe skip over the slower selections.
Enjoy Yer' Time With - "Day In Day Out" & "Btn"
Rating - * * * 1/2
Pros - Dynamically heavy and at the same time accessible
Cons - Straying too far from the path detracts from a classic record
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