Pierce the Veil - A Flair for the Dramatic
Rating
RIYL
ChiodosCirca Survive
Coheed & Cambria
Tracklist
1. Chemical Kids and Mechanical Brides2. Currents Convulsive
3. Yeah Boy and Doll Face
4. I'd Rather Die Than Be Famous
5. The Cheap Bouquet
6. Falling Asleep On A Stranger
7. She Sings In The Morning
8. The Balcony Scene
9. Drella
10. Diamonds and Why Men Buy Them
11. Wonderless
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To release an album that takes a specific genre and delivers everything that defines it in a manner that isn’t derivative and recycled is one thing, but to put out an album that covers a wide array of styles, without sounding stretched or forced is a much tougher challenge. With the very first listen of Pierce The Veil’s debut A Flair For The Dramatic, the range of styles present is abundantly clear. But more exciting is just how multi faceted the band are.
A Flair For The Dramatic really does have something for everyone. Whilst the band’s sound predominantly leans towards post-hardcore, or screamo, the wide range of styles and genres evident across the album make it difficult to pick a standout track, or song that defines the band. A lot of the songs pack a fast pace and frenetic energy, which coupled with Vic Fuentes’ high pitched vocals invite comparisons to Chiodos and the like. Although, there are also a considerable amount of ballads, or at least slower paced, more sweeping tracks, which evoke more of a Circa Survive nod.
While these two bands are somewhat ‘acquired tastes’, Pierce The Veil manage to channel their combined styles, coupled with the occasionally abrasive vocal delivery and genuinely hard rocking parts, in a manner that is palatable for even the most mainstream conditioned listeners. Tracks like “Currents Convulsive” and “I’d Rather Die Than Be Famous” are rather heavy at times, yet share the melodic, pop-tinged underpinning of the rest of the album.
The most enjoyable part of A Flair For The Dramatic is that there’s just so much going on. The band experiments with a host of instruments, vocal deliveries, production styles -- every song feels hugely textured and vast. It is the slower tracks where they truly shine, however. The piano-led “The Balcony Scene” is a hugely evocative composition, while closing track “Wonderless” marks the album’s high point, with its layered vocals, at times decidedly haunting.
There are times when the experimentation gets a little galling, and songs end up trying so hard to be different, they sound similar, but the band should truly be commended on approaching their debut with such ambition. And whilst not producing perfection, they have delivered something truly exciting.
--Alex Davies
Comments
"These are our lives, but did they ever even matter - are we worth remembering?"
- "Tip The Scales"
Rise Against
Berlin, Germany
this is utter bullcrap ... the voice is so annoying and not even high-pitched ... just awfully strained.
Another pop-punk-garbage-band !
Manchester, England
No.
Berlin, Germany
Manchester, England
Like I said, it has elements of pop, in the sense that is very melodic and quite catchy in places, but there's no way I'd say it was pop punk, anywhere on the album
Pittsburgh
if anyone on this site interviews them, please ask, on average, how many instrument/vocal tracks were on a given song
I'm thinking it's in the double digits
www.myspace.com/mickmalonewrites
Manchester, England
yeah, i totally agree. like i said, theres just SO much going on in the songs, its really something.
Fishers, Indiana
Why do I say this? Well, Coheed and Cambria had previously lost Mic Todd and Joshy Eppard, and they did pick up replacements for those respective positions. I guarantee you the derivative effort of the resultant Frankenstein-esque band would've produced an album logically in line with the general Coheed sound, even through something like a name change (well, more than likely, barring some crazy power shift from Mr. Sanchez).
I digress.
The album is fucking splendid, but its... pretty much what Before Today was totally capable of before they changed their name to one of their songs. haha. I'm not saying any of this shoulda been covered in the review, its more of a side note.
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Fishers, Indiana
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New Jersey
when i see it in your eyes
i just want to go blind
Markham, ON
Mike Todd joined back with the band shortly before they entered the studio.
P.S. This is what the alphabet would look like if you removed Q and R.
Atascadero, CA
Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
Blue Reef Design Studios (Web Development)
http://aarontroy.tumblr.com
Fishers, Indiana
*nod* Note how I said, "previously lost."
And...
Yes, and definitely before December. Earlier in the fall of last year, at least.
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Manchester, England
San Borja, Lima, Perú
Manchester, England
Fishers, Indiana
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Manchester, England
love it.
Claremont, CA
Cincinnati
Boston, MA
Stereo Typing
Tweet at me, bro
Manchester, England
w00t!
but yeah, do. cos DGD are minttt and so are SKSK
Dubuque
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