Chapter 14 - Like Trees in November
Rating
RIYL
Lower DefinitionDestroy the Runner
Saosin
Release Date
11/30/2010
Label
Self ReleasedTracklist
1. Winter2. Roses
3. The Wizard of Gods
4. Acts Aside from Action
5. Moth & Rust(featuring Matt Geise)
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Many of you probably remember Destroy the Runner who had a lackluster run on Solid Sate Records a few years ago. Well, Chapter 14 features two former members of that group who are, in fact, the only two members in the band, with Chad Ackerman and Tanner Sparks performing all musical and vocal duties. Ackerman also had a brief stint playing with As I Lay Dying and Austrian Death Machine filling on guitar and vocals respectively so the guy has been around block, but you wouldn’t know it from listening to Chapter 14’s uninspired and hackneyed debut EP, Likes Trees in November.
Chapter 14 basically uses a melodic metalcore writing style but the singing outweighs the screaming, which brings us to the first issue with this EP: the vocals. Granted, Ackerman has a strong voice but he’s not equipped to take on this much singing. He sounds good in short doses but after awhile the singing just becomes irritating and the jock rock inspired lyrics don’t help the situation either. Moreover, while the song structures and production quality are sufficient, this EP severely lacks originality to the point where the band even makes an EP hard to get through, which doesn’t happen very often. The middle three songs are the biggest offenders; the opener “Winter” isn’t so bad, mainly because of the rhythmic and softly song choruses offset by the aggressive verses. It’s a dynamic we don’t see again until the last track “Moth & Rust,” which features Matt Geise from Lower Definition. This song is actually the best one on the EP and shows that there’s potential for the band but it’s not fully realized on all five tracks.
Coming from a failed act like Destroy the Runner, it’s not a huge surprise that Chapter 14 is largely unmemorable. This band is like conjoined twins; two separate individuals work together as one and while we’re impressed at what they have accomplished, our expectations were low to begin with so the net result still has them achieving less a normal person, or in this case, a normal band. There’s a slight chance some people may enjoy Like Trees in November so give it a chance, just don’t expect to be blown away.
--Nicholas Fritz
Comments
Fishers, Indiana
It's kind of sad that I immediately went looking for this and totally ignored the rating of two stars. Whoops. Welp, guess I'll be voicing my disappointment shortly.
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Fishers, Indiana
I'm sorry Nick, but this is awesome. haha. I agree that the lyrics are pretty lame, but I'm 3 tracks in and falling fast. "The Wizard of Gods" is this weirdly perfect mixture of Tool and Fall Out Boy.
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Minnesota
You know, I don't think this is a great effort by any means, but I don't hate it. It's actually pretty non-threatening and easily listenable for its genre. I could see myself listening to a full length by these guys.
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Coopersburg, PA
I can see why people would like this, and I didn't mind it at first, but I grew tired of it after a bunch of plays. Something about the generic vocals and basic song structures turned me off after awhile.
Canada
not bad, but it does lose appeal after a few listens. new scale the summit on the other hand is fucking killer
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX
Fishers, Indiana
You can only edit for a few minutes after you've posted, and you can't edit a post once you've posted another. In other words, you're boned. :P
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Coopersburg, PA
I listen to a little bit of everything myself and I just couldn't fully get into this EP. My rating is admittedly a bit low, but I still wouldn't give it more than 2.5 stars. I feel like solo or duo projects are creatively limited many times because only one or two people are creating the songs, and that's how I feel about this release, just feels bland to me. I appreciate your opinion though; haven't seen you much on the site before, hope you'll keep coming back.
Minnesota
Nick, I think what we're all trying to say is...
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Coopersburg, PA
Hahaha, stop trying to instigate fights.
San Antonio, TX
Kansas
I'm diggin this quite a bit.
http://rateyourmusic.com/~benny06
Fishers, Indiana
I'm wishing I could Like your post. :P Facebook has infected me hard.
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