From Autumn To Ashes - Holding a Wolf by the Ears
Rating
RIYL
Poison the WellAs I Lay Dying
Atreyu
Underoath
Label
Vagrant RecordsTracklist
1. Deth Kult Social Club2. On the Offensive
3. Recounts and Recollections
4. Daylight Slaving
5. Delusions of Grandeur
6. Sensory Deprivation Adventure
7. Everything I Need
8. Underpass Tutorial
9. Love It of Left It
10. Travel
11. A Goat in Sheep's Rosary
12. Pioneers
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In 2003, my ears were introduced to a musical genre called “metalcore” by an album titled Frail Words Collapse from As I Lay Dying. But, since the genre’s name was actually coined in the 1990’s (and the music itself had nearly run its course by 2003), a bit of catching up was necessary for further development of this budding listener’s tastes. During my assimilation of all things metalcore, From Autumn to Ashes’ first two albums inevitably graced my CD player, despite being a hybrid of the aforementioned genre and post-hardcore. At the time, their mildly entertaining brand of melodic punk (with both clean and screamed vocals!) seemed like an acceptable way to spend 45 minutes; in the year 2007, however – long after the day when this style reached its stylistic summit and, moments later, plummeted to earth in a screeching, gasping, choking mass of flames – the band’s new album, Holding a Wolf By the Ears, sounds more outdated than a recitation of VH1’s talent payroll.
The above statement is not meant to arbitrarily demean From Autumn to Ashes’ latest effort, because it does showcase various strengths, especially regarding advancements made over their last album, the supbar Abandon Your Friends. Many tracks here ring with energy and enthusiasm, featuring an effective arrangement of the chugging riffs and dynamic vocals that originally made this genre so popular, but therein lurks a problem: Holding a Wolf By the Ears, though not a horrible addition to modern hardcore, is generic and robotic, merely going through the genre’s motions.
As each song passes, the listener becomes painfully aware that most fail to distinguish themselves as anything more than a few cheap hooks; though, of course, the occasional exception does exist, such as “Daylight Slaving” and “Delusions of Grandeur,” a strong set in which the aforementioned strengths mesh well and might even provoke a head-bang or two. Occasionally, other instruments, such as a piano, cello and even the rare bit of electronica or sampling, are thrown into the mix, but seldom last for more than a few seconds at a time, making it seem a timid attempt at diversification. But even at its strongest moments this musical approach can’t help but feel its age; every breakdown, every thump of the double bass, and every gravely shriek are the same thing we’ve heard numerous times before… and often accomplished with more uniqueness.
If you, dear listener, have not yet worn yourself out on this tired genre, then From Autumn to Ashes’ noticeable improvements may provide you with some level of enjoyment. For those of you in my position, however, who became bored with this sound ages ago, Holding a Wolf By the Ears brings very few fresh ideas to the table and, in the end, will probably feel like wasted time.
--Scott Miller
Comments
Waterloo, Ontario
Top Ten of 2009 http://www.decoymusic.com/users/3747/top_tens/2009
Minnesota
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Spokane, Washington
Current Listenings:
7 Horns 7 Eyes - "Throes of Absolution"
Horse Feathers - "Cynic's New Year"
Andrew Bird - "Break It Yourself"
Sigur Ros - "Valtari"
Rocky Votolato - "Television of Saints"
Janus - "Nox Aeris"
Blues Traveler - "25"
Anytown USA
You play to win the game.
Cincinnati, OH
I'd written this band off after their second record, but now I hope they can do something a bit fresher after this release. I guess we'll see.
The Murder Mitten
Took the words(type) out of my mouth...well said!
Mother Nature is a hateful whore.
VT
My Top Songs of '09
The Appleseed Cast//as the little things go
Caspian//sycamore
Sunwrae//Chinook Winds
Dredg//down to the seller
If These Trees Could Talk//the sun is in the north
From Monument to Masses//an ounce of prevention
Straylight Run//i'm through with the past
LpShinobi's Post-Rock and Shoegazing Recommendation, via YouTube
Lpshinobi's Post-Rock Band, New Song Posted
Green Brook, NJ
Des Moines, IA
Anytown USA
You play to win the game.
Tucson, AZ
Haleiwa, HI / Carlsbad, CA
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.punkrocks.net/display_review.php?id=1023
Facebook - Sure, why not, be my friend
Where The Hot Carl Isn't A Frowned Upon Phenomenon - The Blog
GO RED SOX!!!!!!!!
Sacramento, CA
i laughed way more than i should have.
I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.
Anytown USA
scott doesn't disappoint does he.
You play to win the game.
Tucson, AZ