Project 86 - Wait for the Siren
Rating
RIYL
System of a DownP.O.D.
Rise Against
Release Date
08/21/2012
Label
Self ReleasedTracklist
1. Fall, Goliath, Fall2. SOTS
3. Omerta's Sons
4. Off the Grid
5. New Transmission
6. Defector
7. The Crossfire Gambit
8. Blood Moon
9. Above the Desert Sea
10. Ghost of Easter Rising
11. Avalantia
12. Take the Hill
13. Wait for the Siren
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For any numerologists out there, let’s start out this review with some numbers. Project 86 formed in 1996, so they have been together for 16 years. They released their first album on June 16. Wait for the Siren is full length number eight for the Christian quartet and it’s being released in August 2012 – which is month number eight. Furthermore, the release date is 8/21/2012 and if you add those numbers together - 8,2,1,2,0,1,2 - they equal 16. It’s obvious Project 86 has a lot of 8’s and 6’s surrounding their career, so what does that have to do with the band or their new album? Well, nothing. Most people already know who Project 86 is though so why drag you through the normal album introduction process.
It’s been three years since Project 86’s last full length, which is the longest interval between albums in the band’s long history. All their releases showed some kind of change or progression for the band and Wait for the Siren is no different. It combines some of the aggression seen on earlier releases like Song to Burn Bridges By mixed with their more melodic side seen on Picket Fence Cartel. Moreover, it sounds more refined and polished than their previous efforts, making for an enjoyable, albeit predictable album.
“Fall, Goliath, Fall” opens the record with a military style drum beat, accompanied by melodic acoustic riffs that all culminate into a powerful introduction. A simple, but catchy verse briefly follows before transitioning into a memorable sing-a-long chorus. It’s not a groundbreaking formula by any means, but shows longtime fans that Project 86 are still skilled at their craft. “Off the Grid” and “Defector” are also good examples of these formulaic tracks. However, some of the best moments on Wait for the Siren come from the heavier songs. “SOTS,” The Crossfire Gambit,” and “Take the Hill” all increase the energy level throughout the album and prove that even aging bands can still have some bite to them.
Most of the tracks on here are solid but the main weak spot is “Blood Moon.” It’s a slower song, and while it does add some variation, the track seems completely out of place. The verse is a tad misleading because it doesn’t sound all that bad, but then the chorus comes in and ruins whatever chance the song had at being decent because of its Nickelback-esque qualities. One dud out of thirteen tracks isn’t the end of the world though, and overall Project 86 has put together another respectable album. The band has never been one to blow people away, but they consistently put out quality full lengths and that trend continues with Wait for the Siren.
Comments
Fishers, Indiana
For the record, I have no idea who Project 86 so your review felt very exclusionary. >:(
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Columbus, OH
Then get schooled, Zach. Project 86 was awesome back in the day.
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Kansas
Picket Fence Cartel was awesome. This better be better than the new pod...
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Baton Rouge
Yeah, Zach, come on, man. This band's discography must now be the only thing you listen to for the next week. This is just unacceptable. They've got at lest four bona fide classics under their belt by my calculations.
And nice review, Fritz. Concise, but I still get your point. I hope I like this more than you did, though.
Boobs
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Minnesota
This is a really solid release. P86 are one of the few bands that you can depend on for a solid album each time out, regardless of how they change their sound.
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Reno, NV
Never got into any of the bands listed except for Rise Against. I'm pretty much a heartless bastard though. I probably won't even listen to this album as there is much more our there that excites me over these guys.
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Baton Rouge
http://youtu.be/Tkii0nlG5v8
Seriously, though, this probably isn't your thing, dude.
Boobs
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Salt Lake City, UT
This band is more talented and better than any of the RIYL by leaps and bounds. Still waiting on my email to download this in flac.
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Baton Rouge
Yeah, I'm wondering when my Kickstarter stuff is gonna get here.
Boobs
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Ann Arbor, MI
Great release!!! Drawing Black Lines is a sick album.
DETH ROK!!!!
Quakertown, PA
Thanks! This was actually my first time listening to a full album by them. Before writing the review, I went back and listened to all their other albums to see what I missed and I was impressed that none of them sucked. They're not really my style but I respect what they do.
Salt Lake City, UT
The first album sucked. They wanted to be a christian korn/ rap nu metal group.
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Reno, NV
I feel the same way, I think they are a good band, just not quite my style and I won't take time out of my normal listening activity to get too excited about them. And also agree, they are way better than the RIYL bands, minus Rise Against.
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Salt Lake City, UT
Expecially Rise Against.
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Pittsburgh, PA
I was pleasantly surprised at how solid this was, considering Andrew Schwab is the only founding member left. I guess he's always had more to do with the songwriting than I was lead to believe.
RAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Baton Rouge
Screw you guys, this is my favorite album released so far this year. Everything else has not met my expectations. This exceeded them by far. It's a shame that after 15 years of doing this consistently, and even being on a major label, barely anyone knows who Project 86 is. Anyway, love you guys, bye.
Boobs
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Salt Lake City, UT
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Salt Lake City, UT
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Baton Rouge
Give it time, dude. Like all Project albums post Drawing Black Lines, on first listen, all I can think is, "Man, this isn't as good as Project's better albums." Eventually, I have fallen in love with them all, including this one, but excepting Picket Fence Cartel, which I couldn't quite get into. The first time I heard Rival Factions, I almost vomited because my disappointment was so hard. Now I'd put that one in my top three.
Boobs
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Minnesota
Rival Factions was a weird one for sure. I also initially outright hated it, but over time I grew to appreciate it quite a bit.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Baton Rouge
Sweet. The craziest thing about that one is that it doesn't really sound like them, but it doesn't really sound like anyone else, either. I think "The Forces of Radio Have Dropped a Viper into the Rhythm Section" was the decoder for me. I really like the analog band in a digital world thing Schwab did with that track. Made me feel good to be old. Once I found I loved that song, everything else fell into place.
Boobs
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Salt Lake City, UT
I did not like PFC in any way shape or form and this new one is a complete let down for me sans a couple tracks, mainly the FGF and New Transmission.
I might ebay my vinyl, I enjoy supporting them but I don't even want the album, for a P86 albums, it's their second worst album to date IN MY OPINION, and this is the second album in a row by them I did not like.
Guess it's time to say goodbye.
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Baton Rouge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tJGk4ofc18
Boobs
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