CD Review: Lions Lions - To Carve Our Names (European Release)

Written by Colin McNamara Friday, 15 June 2012 09:39

Artist: Lions Lions
Title: To Carve Our Names (European Release)
Genre: Alternative-Hardcore
Release Date: 18th June 18 2012
Label: Hollywood Waste

Album Review

LIONS LIONS is a relatively new band that stands on their own with their special spin on ‘Post Hardcore.’ Of course, when thinking of anything in the ‘Hardcore’ vein or ‘Post’ vein, one thinks of thick, chugging tracks of fast or epic proportions, plenty of ambience at times and just deep, bellowing vocals or direct, thrashing assaults in bursts of sound. LIONS LIONS touch more on the melodic side, almost making the music on their debut ‘To Carve Our Names’ more along the lines of Alternative Rock. The clean singing and almost happy, energetic guitar tunes sound more along the lines of ALL AMERICAN REJECTS or YELLOWCARD than groups like HATEBREED or ASKING ALEXANDRIA. Of course there are some bellowing vocals here and there, but overall this album is going to be much less angry than the typical listener might expect when hearing the genre Post Hardcore. Perhaps this is a good thing because as atypical as this music may be, it should attract fans that are sick of the same ol’ same ol’.

Songs like ‘The Right Steps’ reflect LIONS LIONS’ harmonic approach, not only in music but also lyrics. True, the main vocals can be a bit whiny during the chorus, but when layered with the other vocals they are much more effective and ambient. ‘The Undertow’ makes exclusive work of the bass for a bit more technical riffs rather than the more generic Pop Rock riffs that populate the other tracks to create the more upbeat atmosphere. ‘Rescue’ includes the most recent modern approach to Post Hardcore with electronic elements here and there, but they don’t overdo it on the song- or do it enough- to really make it stand out, save for the interlude. Perhaps the most “Indie” of the tracks- and the most beautiful - the acoustically performed, ‘Our Colors’. It’s a different approach for the band but it seems to grab at listeners the most due to its unique nature; no other tracks seem like this. Plus, with less distortion and noise the lyrics can be heard clearly compared to other tracks. Plus the drums feature a unique, electronic fuzz to them with each beat; whether or not this was on purpose, it enhances the song quite well along with the symphonic backdrop. If LIONS LIONS had included more tracks like these or sections like these within their debut, this would have been stellar. However, it is pretty decent the way it is now, and the band can only go forward from here.


Tracklist

01. Milestones - 3:25
02. The Undertow - 3:07
03. Stable As Stone - 3:50
04. White Flag - 3:29
05. The Right Steps - 3:21
06. Carry On - 2:56
07. Losing Balance - 4:08
08. Grounded - 3:11
09. Rescue - 3:44
10. Letting Go - 3:43
11. Our Colors - 4:39


Line-up

Joshua Herzer – Vocals
Brandon Davis – Guitar
Jon Kay – Bass & Vocals
Isaac Vigil – Drums


Website

www.facebook.com/LionsLionsMA


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Total: 8 / 10