Letlive - Fake History
Rating
RIYL
GlassjawRefused
Lower Definition
Release Date
04/13/2010
Label
Tragic Hero RecordsTracklist
01. Le Prologue02. The Sick, Sick, 6.8 Billion
03. Renegade ‘86
04. Enemigos / Enemies
05. Casino Columbus
06. Muther
07. Homeless Jazz
08. We, The Pros Of Con
09. H. Ledger
10. Over Being Under
11. Day 54
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Excellence (noun): "The fact or state of excelling."
Many bands strive to meet the definition of that three syllable word, yet many fail. Los Angeles is a hub for many of those failed musicians that couldn’t quite get to that last bar of pre-eminence. However, one band in particular is rising above the ashes of this dynasty that once rang through streets with booming sound while grabbing it by the back of its sad little head and smacking it in its pathetic face. They are providing a wake up call to a genre of music that has become almost unbearable to listen to. This band in particular takes the essentials of post-hardcore and carries it to the next level of musicianship while using their very own creative style. Taking notes from the pages of Refused and Glassjaw these guys are sure to pick up right where the aforementioned bands left off. So who is this phenomenal band that I just compared to two of the greats? My fellow cohorts in line waiting for the next big thing, I give you exactly what we have been longing for… letlive.
Currently signed to Tragic Hero Records, the letlive crew have recently released their sophomore full-length Fake History. Fake History is eleven tracks of sheer perfection that takes you on a musical journey restoring faith in your blackened musical soul of souls. Commencing the album is “Le Prologue,” an infectious gathering of rhythmic reverberations that back a vocal exhibition which roars through the forefront of this short lived track. Right from the start you will notice a few things. First, vocalist Jason Butler is a man of his trade, making others in his genre quiver on their knees while bowing to his superiority. Vocally and lyrically, this man has a talent that only few can match. Next you will notice that these guys incorporate many styles of music into their sound. A dash of punk, a pinch of hardcore, a smidgen of jazz and the right amount of pure rock make the sound they produce ring higher than most. Once “Le Prologue” is finished, they give you zero time to take it in as they groove right into the next track, “The Sick, Sick, 6.8 Billion.” It is on this track that you will first here Butler’s beatific clean vocals perfectly intermingled with his ferocious screams. You also notice for the first time that this band is extremely cocky and walks with an immense amount of swagger. With lyrics like, “I got my fathers stitch on Mother’s Day, it does appear life’s a bitch. But I’m a dick just the same. Because we’re the same don’t mean shit,” you can tell that there’s some underlying turmoil but also an acceptance of it, which gives way to immense emotion.
“Renegade ‘86” is a non-stop, full throttle, balls to the wall adventure full of start-stop breaks that take you on a breathtaking tour of musical chaos. This particular track defines the band’s originality. The timing and all around structure of the song are so precise that it’s hard not to get your ass moving to it. “Casino Columbus” is the first release off the album to have a video. Rightfully so if you ask me; the track pulsates above the rest and has an amazing melody to it. Be sure to check out the video because it’s just as awesome as the song it accompanies. Things aren’t all chaos and emotional aggression on this album, however; “Muther” is a beautiful ensemble full of effortless musical flow that smashes against the shores of Butler’s vocals, creating a picturesque scene in your frontal lobe. “Homeless Jazz” starts off with a quirky “HEY” that immediately grabs your attention and holds it all the way through the entire track. The drum work in this song is impeccable and definitely the glue that holds it together. This track also displays some of the band's jazzy-type riffs which they incorporate in many of their songs.
Throughout this review I have tried my best to emphasize how superb Butler’s vocals are and if you have yet to believe me, be sure to listen to “We, The Pros of Con.” The first ten seconds of this track sounds like an all out battle royal between the vocals, drums and guitars. It isn’t until those ten seconds are over that you will discover the vocals come out the victor and hold on to the title for the song's entirety. “H. Ledger” and “Over Being Under” are fantastic listens to get your feet moving and your head bobbing. Both with unstoppable rhythm and sporadic madness, they are sure to keep you trucking along up to the album’s epic closer, “Day 54.” This song seems to be a bit of a middle finger to everyone that has double crossed these guys. It has more of a somber feel to it and carries the weight of the album on its back to make it a perfect selection to end the album. Be sure to pay close attention to the lyrics for they are more than enjoyable.
I’m sure many of you who are reading this have already seen my rating and maybe asked yourself, “Really, Bill… a perfect 5/5?” and that’s okay with me - question me all you want. I understand that giving a perfect score is pretty risky, especially on the internet. However, all I ask is that if you have yet to do so, give this album a thorough listen. letlive are at the top of their game and they are definitely not stopping any time soon. Fake History is a mark in post-hardcore history, a stepping stone for many other bands to follow in suit. I’m going out on a limb and saying letlive saved post-hardcore. A scene that has become full of wussy dudes in their sister's clothing and makeup pretending to play music with conviction and passion, when in reality they destroyed the very essence and passion behind it. So thank you letlive, thank you for putting the balls back into a genre of music that was close to being extinct; you deserve a perfect rating.
--Bill Lohr
Comments
Minnesota
Really, Bill… a perfect 5/5?
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Lehigh Valley, PA
Yes Rick, really. I really can't explain the emotions I have when I listen to this album. There is not one part of it that is remotely bad, in any way. It's perfect for any occasion. The raw emotion behind this release is the purest form of what music should sound like. Call me a fan boy, I don't care. This shit is simply amazing. End of story.
Coopersburg, PA
I'm with Bill for once, this album is PERFECT. If had this review, it'd get the same rating, although I'm sure other people won't find it as lovable. Even though this decade just started, this will probably be in my Top Ten when I look back on 2010-2019. I can't see too many other albums topping this, at least in this genre.
Spokane, Washington
album is sooo damn good! i knew the frontman was a badass based on Speak Like You Talk, but this album takes his abilities to new levels.
current listenings:
Of Virtue - "Heartsounds"
Capsule - "No Ghost"
Century - "Red Giant"
James Vincent McMorrow - "Early In The Morning"
Blind Pilot - "We Are The Tide"
Lehigh Valley, PA
Pretty stoked most everyone on the site is diggin this band/release.
Portland, OR
Haven't heard the whole album, but yeah, this band definitely knows what they're doing.
Atascadero, CA
Definitely taking my #1 spot this year, I dont see how anything else is going to be able to compare to this as far as my opinion and tastes go. The power and raw energy is something bands do not seem to possess now days. I love your "savior of post-hardcore" line because this very well is the best release in the genre in years.
Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
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Raleigh, NC
If I could, I've give this disc a 4.75/5. It's a killer album, and I'm hesitant to call it perfect just because I feel like when I hear the perfect album, it'll hit me as such. This is an amazing album nonetheless, though, and I'm so excited to see them in Raleigh next month. Easily one of the best bands that Tragic Hero has ever signed.
Infinitely Inwards
Sweet album.....made me miss Refused and Glassjaw. It is one of the best (non emo) post harcore albums i have heard in a while.....Does anyone else get an older Every time I die vibe from this sometimes or is it just me?
Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs
The New Law - The Fifty Year Storm
ERRA - Impulse
Aborted - Global Flatline
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
fuck, when was I allowed to start agreeing with the majority of Decoy on anything? I usually go against the grain, but have to say what I'm hearing of this is pretty damn good... thanks for turning me onto it Bill.
"These are our lives, but did they ever even matter - are we worth remembering?"
- "Tip The Scales"
Rise Against
West Haven, CT
Yeah I hear it.
I'm digging this CD from a first listen. There seems to be a whole sh** load of stuff to praise. I just don't think anyone will ever be able to sound like or do what the great glassJAW did.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Wilmington DE
wow....im siked to hear some good music after all this praise. getting the album as we speak!
Listening to:
Tides of Man
Oceansize
The Contortionist
We are the City
Periphery
Pittsburgh, PA
I don't think I've ever seen a 5-star album on here get so little heat... I really need to get this
RAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Portland, OR
Purchased it today, I figured it would be worth it. I'm sure I will be back tomorrow with some extremely kind words.
Lehigh Valley, PA
Dude, I was thinking the same thing. I have perma-grin from the fact that everyone, so far, is into this. letlive went unrecognized for so long and now with this release it's about time they get the recognition they deserve.
Alabama
I applaud the dude for stepping out and giving the five stars... I used to get massacred for giving those out! I enjoy the album all right, but I don't think I hear the supposed perfection everyone seems to be going nuts over. Every time I would get into a song, I'd run into a moment that seemed either a.) corny or b.) really, really misplaced and forced (what is this band's deal with havinge the word fuck randomly blurted out?!). However, there's no disputing the frontman has a set of pipes on him. In the end, I'm still left thinking that it just doesn't have whatever it was that made Glassjaw so special. Did anyone else hear a little Gatsby's American Dream in songs like "Muther" and "Homeless Jazz"? Also heard a little The Dear Hunter in this during certain parts. Bravo to Bill for giving the score he felt the album deserved; wish that happened all the time.
I will throw out the one critique that in that Casino Columbus video, the singer looks like he's trying to channel Vanilla Ice's look. :) Seriously though man - you should be proud!
"These are our lives, but did they ever even matter - are we worth remembering?"
- "Tip The Scales"
Rise Against
Baton Rouge
This is solid stuff, but after a while I find myself getting wore out on it. Also, Muther is a great song, but unfortunately, once that girl starts singing, I find myself thinking, Who is this girl? I hope she keeps singing. She doesn't keep singing. Bummer.
So I like this and think it does a lot of stuff awesomely, but I get burnt out by the mid-point. Gotta agree with Mike and Rick on the score.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Portland, OR
Absolutely love this album. Kept me awake past my bedtime last night because my ears couldn't get enough.
West Haven, CT
I wholeheartedly agree with you.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Raleigh, NC
Muther's incredible. Both Butler and the girl, whoever she may be, have excellent parts in that song. That and Day 54, which has some of the best lyrics of the album, are my favorite songs.
Fishers, Indiana
The RIYLs sold me. I'll hafta listen to this shit posthaste.
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West Haven, CT
The RIYLs are good but I don't see them sounding like glassJAW nor do I think glassJAW will ever sound like them. I can hear the influence but it's more like a weak imitation.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Illinois
just listened to this for the first time today...holy fuck.
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COB Basrah, Al Basrah, Iraq
Alright I like this album a good bit after the first listen but someone needs to call you out on your inability to compare music, this band sounds absolutely nothing like Refused, in any way other than using the same instruments. Glassjaw + Blood Brothers .. more or less.
...and God saw everything that he had made and behold it was good and God created man and man created machine and machine... machine created music and machine saw everything it had created and it said - Behold!