Last Winter - The Heart and the Broken Compass

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RIYL

Anberlin
Saosin
Silverstein
Lower than Atlantis

Release Date

08/02/2011

Label

Lifeforce Records

Tracklist

1. Copper Bones
2. Nightlaunch
3. The Northern Lights
4. Neptune
5. More Than You Know
6. Yellowbelly
7. Where We're Going, We Don't Need Roads
8. Hide Your Eyes
9. The Architects
10. Arrows

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3 ratings

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The Heart and the Broken Compass is the newest release from Floridian quintet, Last Winter, following a four-year break from their Lifeforce Records debut, Under the Silver of Machines. Coming off their last release, the band kicked out lead singer Cameron Mizell and replaced him with Ian Dempsey, but other than that, their sound remains relatively intact with a mixture between alternative rock and powerpop.

With the vocalist change, Last Winter basically went from one mediocre singer to another. Mizell’s voice was subpar at best, and Dempsey doesn’t fare much better, despite tons of auto-tuning and other studio magic tricks. The intent here is not to single out or bash Dempsey, but when the musicianship is leaps and bounds above the quality of the vocals, and the singing is the focal point of the album, the discussion naturally shifts in that direction. Dempsey constantly goes out of his range and ends up sounding extremely nasally and flat for the majority of the songs. He’s at his best in the more aggressive tracks like “Yellowbelly” and “Architects,” but those kinds of songs are in the minority. Additionally, the lyrics are embarrassingly awful and could go toe-to-toe with jock rock bands like Three Doors Down and Puddle of Mudd, making the vocals even harder to swallow.

It’s a shame the singing is so distracting because there are some enjoyable tunes underneath that top layer; Last Winter really knows how to arrange a song and fill it up with interesting and energetic passages. Each track is noticeably different with unique verses and choruses, all catchy in their own way, held together by booming drums and intricate guitar leads. Unfortunately, The Heart and Broken Compass is mixed like a pop record, putting the music in the background and having the vocals overpower the entire mix.

I really wanted to like this record but couldn’t for life of me get past the vocals. The poor production coupled with Dempsey’s inability to sing completely ruined it for me to the point where it didn’t matter how well the music was performed. On the plus side, Last Winter has matured into a respectable pop/rock band compared to their older material, they just need a singer who can match their musical talents.

--Nicholas Fritz

Last updated: 07/25/2011 11:17AM

Comments

Rick Gebhardt
07/25/2011
01:02PM
Age: 31
Location
Minnesota

I loved Under the Silver of Machines. It was sugary, sickening, catchy goodness. This album isn't nearly as good, but I still find myself enjoying it. I can understand some of the criticism of the vocals, but I don't think they're quite as bad as you make them out to be :-)  The lyrics, though, are pretty damn cheesy. 

Find me EVERYWHERE:

Nicholas Fritz
07/25/2011
08:46PM
Age: 29
Location
Coopersburg, PA

I think vocals like this are a matter of preference and they are hard for me to deal with, but I can understand why other people like them or would be into the album.

reispa
07/29/2011
12:58PM
Age: 30
Location
Cincinnati

I would have to disagree that Mizell's vocals were subpar; he at least had a unique sound.  I think they blow this new dude's voice out of the water.  You're right though, the vocals do tend to distract from the greatness of the music on this new one.