Our Last Night - We Will All Evolve Review

Our Last Night - We Will All Evolve

Rating

RIYL

Underoath
Saosin
Silverstein
We Came as Romans

Release Date

05/04/2010

Label

Epitaph

Tracklist

1. Elephants
2. Air I Breathe
3. Mouth Machine Gun
4. Across the Ocean
5. Deceiver
6. Devil Inside You
7. Distance is Destroying Me
8. Carry Me to Safety
9. Into the Future
10. We Will All Evolve

Users Rating 7 ratings	Your Rating Create an account or log in to rate this album
Recent Ratings [more]
benny06	Rick Gebhardt
Graydon Schwartz [photographer]	b_myers
Nicholas Fritz	Aaron Yarborough

Our Last Night virtually came out of nowhere after signing to Epitaph Records in 2007 and releasing their debut The Ghosts Among Us. Relentless touring garnered the band quite the following since that album, and two years later they return with their sophomore effort We Will All Evolve.

Fans of Our Last Night’s first release should love this album. No stylistic changes have been made, the band still plays a mix of melodic hardcore and punk with some metal riffs added into the mix; however, this time around the music is more polished and a bit more technical, which would be the natural next step for them. Vocally, Trevor and Matt Wentworth still share singing duties, and the most noticeable difference on the album is the change in Trevor’s voice. It’s deeper, more powerful and just all around better, most likely a result of constant touring, plus he’s a few years older now so natural maturation probably lent a hand as well.

The strongest tracks on the album are the ones that either lean towards the heavier side or the lighter, catchier side of the band. For example, the opening track “Elephants” starts with heavy Norma Jean-esque riffage and screaming that is as pissed off as I’ve heard Wentworth sound. It’s a fantastic song that shows what the band can achieve when it breaks free from their typical melodic formula. On the other side of the spectrum, “Across the Ocean” is the catchiest track on the album, and while there are a few screaming parts, the verse and chorus are predominately singing, with a memorable, upbeat chorus that will easily get stuck in listeners’ heads.

“Mouth Machine Gun” and “Deceiver” are other noteworthy tracks, but despite some of these standout tracks, the album needs more diversity. The screaming/singing mix gets old after awhile and every chorus of every song is sung, so having a few all screaming choruses would help keep the songs fresh. It would also be nice to hear the band have a song or two that is balls to the wall heavy with no singing whatsoever and, conversely, have some others that are only singing. Simple changes like that go a long way in mixing up song arrangements.

We Will All Evolve is better than the average for this style of music and a step up from Our Last Night’s previous album, but it doesn’t really do much to raise the bar for the band or the genre. It’s a solid release that fans of Our Last Night will surely appreciate, but the band needs to push the boundaries a bit further next time, possibly take a risk, and really put their talent to better use.

--Nicholas Fritz

Author

Nicholas Fritz

Last updated: 05/04/2010 07:03AM

Comments

Bill Lohr

05/04/2010

07:14AM

Age: 28

Location
Lehigh Valley, PA

This album grows on you. At first I was not too sure about it, then after a few more spins I liked it more and more. Right now it's a 3 1/2 for me but it might grow to be more. I definitely agree that they need to take more risks.

Nice see you back on board and writing again, Nick.

Aaron Yarborough

05/04/2010

07:22AM

Age: 30

Location
Atascadero, CA

still not so sure about this record. it's decent, but i dont think i will be revisiting it all that much. but you are right about "across the ocean" being freaking catchy as hell. definitely my favorite track.

Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
Blue Reef Design Studios (Web Development)
http://aarontroy.tumblr.com

Nicholas Fritz

05/04/2010

07:33AM

Age: 29

Location
Coopersburg, PA

Thanks Bill!

Yeah, this is a decent album, the genre in general doesn't do much for me anymore but it's good for what it is.. I'm hoping they pull an Underoath and start going heavier next album, "Elephants" is a good indication of how well they'd be able to pull it off.

b_myers

05/04/2010

09:30AM

Age: 29

Location
Spokane, Washington

i like it.

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"