In Reverent Fear - Stomacher

Rating

single starsingle starsingle starsingle starsingle star

RIYL

Dredg
Codeseven
Taproot
Oceansize
Bjork
Coldplay

Tracklist

1. All Ripe
2. The Greatest Love
3. Twin
4. 666777888
5. Castle St.
6. Heavy On It
7. Nurse Katie
8. I Feel Beautiful
9. La Foret
10. Mystic Heart
11. Ride the Black Horse
12. The Streetwalker

Users Rating

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1 rating

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Recent Ratings

Throughout the years, In Reverent Fear seems to have leapfrogged onto any popular musical trend. Those who give the band's discography only a perfunctory listen will think they're just like any other spineless, unimaginative, make-it-by-any-means band. However, those who have delved even ever-so-lightly into In Reverent Fear's dips into screamo and metalcore will see that, even if the sound was popular at the time, In Reverent Fear could hardly be called mediocre. The band's last album, Written in the A.M., is still an absolutely remarkable record. It's plain to see that they've managed to rise near the top of every genre they've held in their sights. With their latest release, Stomacher, they set their talent-laden eyes on the recent melodic space-rock uprising.

Intro track "All Ripe" brings to mind the now-defunct Engine Down, while follow-up "The Greatest Love" could easily be mistaken for a track Celebrity, for some unknown reason, never released, while at the same time taking on an early 30 Seconds to Mars vibe. From this description, some might assume In Reverent Fear simply plays upon the ideas of others. The rest of Stomacher lies in strict opposition of this idea, as the band quickly takes the reigns of the melodic rock genre, destroying all comers and toppling any other bands that have ever even so briefly considered themselves to be the pinnacle of accomplishment within the genre. As much as some will try to paint In Reverent Fear as a Johnny Come Lately, the fact of the matter is, in just one attempt, they've set themselves firmly atop the genre, utilizing a dizzying array of influences that spreads from Coldplay to Taproot (though much less nasal) to Dredg to Bjork without the slightest hint of idol worship. Their stunning adoption of intermittent horn squalls and jazz-based interludes lead many of the tracks into arenas not before seen by their contemporaries. Nearly every song on Stomacher features at least one unexpected passage, if not two. This, along with the band's nearly unparalleled musicianship and the surprisingly powerful and expansive vocal range of Jarrod, makes this one of the finest albums of the year.

It's no small feat to make such an indelible mark on this over-inundated genre so early into the game, but tracks like "I Feel Beautiful" and "The Streetwalker" are miles beyond the collective works of 90% of those who attempt to lump themselves into the same group as a band like Dredg. This is not even to mention the absolutely captivating performance turned in on "La Foret," the most haunting, beautiful track of 2006, bar none.

Despite all of these soft, orgasmic displays of organic musicianship, Stomacher is also not without a few shouts-out to In Reverent Fear's past, as tracks like "6667777888" and "Ride the Black Horse" contain some of the group's most driving, devastating, metallic, and aggressive moments to date, while still slathering them with hefty doses of melodicism ("Ride the Black Horse," especially). If anything, they act as a bridge between the band's slightly questionable past and their incredibly bright future.

Stomacher ropes you in from its opening seconds and never lets go. Codeseven, Dredg, Woven, and other bands of their ilk have their work cut out for them if they hope to top this release any time soon. It is pure musical magic.

--Ben Rice

Author

sir mix-a-lot
Last updated: 09/29/2009 08:54PM

Comments

sir mix-a-lot
09/01/2006
07:16AM
Location
Sacramento, CA
before anyone can call me a hypocrite because i've always stated no album deserves a 5/5, i did this because it's so much better than most of the albums we've given 5/5s over the years and i've decided that all the really good albums just can't be 4 or 4.5/5 anymore.

but just to be safe and avoid giving this album a 5/5, i actually gave it a 9/5.

I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.

Originally stated by Scott Miller
It's like talking into a mirror!
Roncag
09/01/2006
07:31AM
Age: 32
Location
Anytown USA
Pretty much dead on. This album came out of the blue to drop my jaw.

You play to win the game.

Aenimaniac
09/01/2006
07:31AM
Location
East Lansing, MI
This album just took me out to dinner, punched me in the face, and made sweet sweet love to me.....take from that what you will.
awake_and_avenge
09/01/2006
10:39AM
Age: 29
Location
Tucson, AZ
Definitely a mind-alteringly awesome album. As surprised as I was to see that Ben gave out a 5, it's well deserved.
Sins Of Arcadia
09/01/2006
11:51AM
Age: 28
Location
Florida, USA
I'm downloading this because of all the dredg mentions. I've never heard this band though.
music soup
09/01/2006
12:23PM
Age: 31
Location
los angeles
He Is Legend just posted a bulletin saying to check this album out. They also used the last paragraph of Rick's review, saying it was written at Decoy. Nicely done.

did they offer you buttsex?

Roncag
09/01/2006
12:32PM
Age: 32
Location
Anytown USA
Rick? he didnt write anything

You play to win the game.

Sins Of Arcadia
09/01/2006
12:34PM
Age: 28
Location
Florida, USA
They probably looked at the damn user-name of who posted it, rather than the person's name at the bottom who actually wrote the damn thing.. Stupid.
Roncag
09/01/2006
12:35PM
Age: 32
Location
Anytown USA
They linked to 10 bands on their myspace

You play to win the game.

Sins Of Arcadia
09/01/2006
12:40PM
Age: 28
Location
Florida, USA
I'm halfway through this album, and it's pretty fucking gorgeous.

Who the HELL does this vocalist sound like?! Honestly, it's bothering me. Great voice, but I can't pin-point who he sounds like.
M.J.Austin
09/01/2006
12:40PM
Location
Dallas, Texas
This CD also came out of nowhere for me. Had not heard of them until earlier this week. Amazing release.
Sins Of Arcadia
09/01/2006
01:11PM
Age: 28
Location
Florida, USA
Just finished the album... Incredible. Glad I checked it out.

Now I wish I could figure out who this guy sounds like when he hits the loud (not high) notes. It's right on the tip of my tongue.
music soup
09/01/2006
01:11PM
Age: 31
Location
los angeles
i send my appologies to ben. i made that mistake, not he is legend. yell at me instead.

did they offer you buttsex?

Roncag
09/01/2006
01:16PM
Age: 32
Location
Anytown USA
Sins Of Arcadia
Just finished the album... Incredible. Glad I checked it out.

Now I wish I could figure out who this guy sounds like when he hits the loud (not high) notes. It's right on the tip of my tongue.


Codeseven ?

You play to win the game.

babarm87
09/01/2006
01:21PM
Location
Los Angeles
vox sound like Glassjaw at times.

postrockpaperscissors

keepsake
09/01/2006
01:25PM
Does anyone remember Quitter? These guys sound quite similiar to them in my opinion. Good disc, I probably would give it 4/5, though.
Roncag
09/01/2006
01:36PM
Age: 32
Location
Anytown USA
Does anyone remember Quitter :) thats cute.....we rode Quitter's jock harder than anyone.

You play to win the game.

daganjatribe
09/01/2006
01:37PM
Location
Austin
keepsake
Does anyone remember Quitter? These guys sound quite similiar to them in my opinion.


my thoughts exactly, excellent review ben

The Daily Galaxy
An elephant that never forgets...to kill!

Sins Of Arcadia
09/01/2006
01:52PM
Age: 28
Location
Florida, USA
Roncag
Codeseven ?

At times, yes, but still not who I'm thinking of.

The Glassjaw comparison is there, though his voice is clearly far better than Daryl's, and muuuuch less annoying. Plus, this guy's voice is natural, whereas Daryl tries way too fucking hard.
sir mix-a-lot
09/01/2006
05:55PM
Location
Sacramento, CA
a lot of the time, he seriously sounds like stephen from taproot, just without any nasality. it's a very clean stephen richards. that's all.

p.s. quitter was amazing. i still ride their jock and they don't even exist anymore.

I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.

Originally stated by Scott Miller
It's like talking into a mirror!
cloudscollide
09/01/2006
06:15PM
Age: 23
Location
PA
These guys remind me of Moments In Grace. Good stuff.

Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)

sir mix-a-lot
09/02/2006
08:44PM
Location
Sacramento, CA
Sins Of Arcadia
I'm halfway through this album, and it's pretty fucking gorgeous.

Who the HELL does this vocalist sound like?! Honestly, it's bothering me. Great voice, but I can't pin-point who he sounds like.

i was listening to this album again...and i'm gonna throw a name out that MIGHT answer your question.

ian love.

I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.

Originally stated by Scott Miller
It's like talking into a mirror!
mmakara81
09/02/2006
09:56PM
Location
San Francisco, CA
cloudscollide
These guys remind me of Moments In Grace. Good stuff.


fuck yeah! i love moments in grace and now that you mention it, i see it.
Sins Of Arcadia
09/03/2006
06:21AM
Age: 28
Location
Florida, USA
sir mix-a-lot
i was listening to this album again...and i'm gonna throw a name out that MIGHT answer your question.

ian love.

I don't even know who that is, lol.
Roncag
09/03/2006
07:58AM
Age: 32
Location
Anytown USA
Lead singer for Cardia.

You play to win the game.