Hindsights - Cold Walls/Cloudy Eyes REVIEW

One of the most anticipated albums of 2015 unexpectedly comes from a local Berkshire band, Hindsights. With their first full-length record Cold Walls/Cloudy Eyes, the four-piece band have traveled a long way with this new release, exposing all of their hard work into one beautifully composed 10-track record.

With clear influences of Brand New, Hindsights have modified their sound into ‘Everything Inside Me Echoed’, easing us into their graduated tune. Alongside similar tones as Balance and Composure, the quartet have captured an mesmerising track that triggers your brain into pleading for more sounds.

With two equally as grasping tracks, ‘Pensive’ and ‘Out Of My Skull’ both produce a captivating interlude that builds up a slow wave of tension, setting you in the right frame before the vocals are added. Both tracks blast an upbeat chorus that is packed with lively spirits that are earnestly hooking.

The band have structured Cold Walls/Cloudy Eyes evenly, each track compliments the next, allowing you to absorb all the tiny details they have uncovered.

Hindsights have revamped treasured sounds and nostalgic feelings within the record by adding a modern twist to each track, marking their unique sent.

To keep your spirits up and bouncing ‘Cold walls’ takes an animated impression to your ears as its lively beat fill the room with high hopes and delightful sounds. Vocally, this track displays the bands great strength with strained vocals that are powerful with every lyric, it’s fair to say that the small band have created quite a masterpiece for themselves.

This constant juxtaposition in rhythm is found within the overall album, gradually changing within the atmosphere created for maximum affect.

Progressing to the latter end of the record, ‘Cloudy Eyes’ introduces a once familiar guitar intro that holds unity. Plastered with yet another chilling aura, the track does bring a sense of relaxation whilst vocally dominating, the song is backed up by the strengthening guitar riffs, hitting you in the face. Matched by ‘Sore’, which is the perfect ending track, Hindsights have managed to keep the blood pumping in your veins for you to leave the room feeling revived.

Building onto their grand finale the edgy rock track is prolonged in length, however this is soon forgotten with their captivating trance luring you in.

Cold Walls/Cloudy Eyes excites us to the many wonderful sounds that Hindsights have produced, marking it to be a strong point in their early career.

8/10

Climates - Body Clocks album Review

Released	13th October 2014
Recorded Record Label	2013 / 2014 Small Town Records
Genre	Metalcore/ Melodic
Length	32:00
Origin	Lincoln
Rating	8 / 10

Hitting the nail on the donkey for the first time is always a challenge, in fact for most bands, their first album is something they’d like to hide at the bottom of their record collection. But not for Lincoln’s finest metal core; Climates. Local to the UK, they have only be around for a couple of years, already known for their progressive metal sound. The five youngers have accomplished touring with highly creditable bands such as, Beartooth, Trapped Under Ice,  Counterparts, While She Sleeps and Bury Tomorrow. 

Released this october, Body Clocks is the first full length, from Small Town Records who specialise in the growing music scene.

Making a sneaky appearance is ‘Leaves Of Legacy’, as gently it creeps in before Wes Thompson’s vocals wreck the room. Generically altering cleans to screams, Climates have intricately devised this within the track, making it subtle and transferable so that it goes unnoticed.

Following, ‘Heaven (Is Only In My Head)’ reaches our ears in a similar way, yet with more passion and tone that makes the song stand out as attacking. The tiny detail which goes into each song is certainly heard as its melodic side stands out to be the focus. The tempo change into a more hardcore structure, altering its tune by adding layers of complexity which skilled musicians die to master. 

However not all is all dynamic, as relaxing breaks in the album are found with ‘In The Of Man’, ‘Worlds Away’ and ‘Sundown’ take on the delicate pitches of an atmospheric scent. Understanding why Climates have chosen to add such diversity to the album, as these songs do work; despite the simplicity, they have not taken a step back with the instrumental cadency.

‘Whole Hearted’ screams damage and suffering planted in Thompson’s screams, that are lyrically comforting as the song is filled with such rage of devotion, you find yourself compelled. 

As the album progresses to a finish, the tracks get moderately hardy in framework, as elements are exploded of what the band are truly capable of.

Drawing a close to the sentimental journey, ‘Realist’ touches on heavy lyrically allusions which draw your soul, capturing your deepest senses, leaving you numb and motionless. The album as a whole certainly does its job from start to finish, hurling twist and turns along the way, Climates have traveled a long way and are still going!

Track listing:

1. Leaves Of Legacy

2. Heaven (Is Only In My Head)

3. Serpents From The Shadowland

4. In The Of Man

5. Cryptic

6. Sundown

7. Whole Hearted

8. The Bigger Picture

9. Worlds Away

10. Realist

Moose Blood - I'll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time

Released	6th October 2014
Recorded Record Label	2013 / 2014 No Sleeps Records
Genre	Emo
Length	33:54
Origin	Canterbury
Rating	10 / 10

Thought emo was dead? Well with the release of Moose Blood's first ever debut full length record I'll keep You In Mind, From Time To Time, reboots us to the nostalgic homegrown sound of emo.

From a band who have only been around for two years, releasing two polished EP's and a split with Departures, the Canterbury foursome have produced a collection of tracks which reflect their own influences whilst adding their own personal touches.  If you're a current fan of Moose Blood or even a newbie, there is no doubt that you will love the band even more for producing such a comforting collection of sounds. 

Introducing us with 'Cherry', the band draw us in with their softer side; an unusual start. The light

ballad style entwines with vocalist Eddy Brewerton's, as it lyrically reflects his recent marriage. This quiet style is then followed up by 'Always' which is a track released as a teaser weeks before. A song that lifts the mood right up and familiarises you with the Moving Home EP work of Moose Blood.

'I Hope You're Missing Me' and 'I Hope You're Miserable' which is the closing song both have very hard hitting punky vibe riffs which capture the likes of Balance And Composure, funnily enough have inspired them as much as Brand New. The duo stand out as headbangers, bringing a vibrant authenticity to their new vivid sound.

If you are a native to the band then you may have picked up on 'Boston' and 'Bukowski' being added with a revamped, edger tone that compliment the original releases as well as including them to slide perfectly with the album flow. Additionally 'Gum' takes Moose Blood's pristine voice found on their dated EP's by enumerating a natural modern emo aura.

Centre spotlight has been dedicated to the band as a whole, as Kyle, Glen and Mark all bond together to form a beautiful base for Brewerton to glide on smoothly. This is most evident in 'Pups' and 'Swim Down' with it's build up of a bridge, that heightens the current tension to a halt until the vocals sweep in.

Tying the knot, I'll keep You In Mind, From Time To Time awards its self alone with more focus on sound, yet still adding their famously well constructed lyrics, Moose Blood have produced a fresh yet nostalgic record that happily sits on the modern day shelves as a dated piece of art.
Without a doubt this record stands out to be in the top 10 released in 2014, alongside More Than Life, Gnarwolves, La Dispute and Basement.
It's not every day that your local UK band makes such a confounding album that supports the growing scene as well as providing a comfort blanket for the older generation.  

You can stream the album online for free here.

Track listing:

1. Cherry

2. Anyway

3. I Hope You’re Missing Me

4. Chin Up

5. Boston

6. Gum

7. Pups

8. Swim Down

9. Bukowski

10. Kelly Kapowski

11. I Hope You’re Miserable

More Than Life - What's Left Of Me

Released	14th April 2014
Recorded Record Label	2013 Holy Roar
Genre	Post Hardcore/ Emo/ Melodic
Length	33:00
Origin	South West
Rating	9 / 10

More Than Life are that band that you really cannot hate. Bringing some of the freshest sound whilst showing off the UK's melodic talent, MTL are definitely up there on bands to watch out for. With a great success from their previous record Love Let Me Go in 2010, the 4 year gap has done many wonders for the band in producing such a solid unityof sound to follow What's Left Of Me.

Opening the emotional journey with Asleep, which consist of an intricate interlude that is repeated behind the strain of a screaming guitar, it sets things right into the MTL style of Weight Of The World which has as brilliant gradual drum beat that works its way to your ears, so that it's joined by a catchy guitar riff before joined by vocalist James. Taking passionate screams along with this soft chaining vocals works in harmony with the edgy howls that explode passion and hatred as well as an emotional connection with the raw feelings that went into this song. Instrumentally wise, it was pretty strong as it matched the exact atmosphere of the song, creating high tension peaks at all the right parts.
The chorus being my favourite part of the song as "FUCK THOSE WASTED TIMES" geta you so involved into the song that you just let yourself flow with it. The bridge then adds to the build up of all the emotions going on as it catches them slowly letting them go into bitter speeches ending the song with a heighten advantage.

What's left Of Me again picked up on this, trailing a fast beat that catches you instantly, filled with such complex structures, the song slows down so you can catch your breath before returning to its heighten speed, keeping you alive and bouncing along throughout.
Finally breaking out through one of their famously aggressive bridges, creates the perfect balance of rage which transfuses into a much more steady outbreak of screams that are filled with even more passion and history.

A heavy lyrical theme which has been present in their previous songs however What's Left Of Me carries this out in a much stronger and impacting way that it's implanted in your brain with a first listen. Sung with such passion and tone as you can actually feel James's voice break in every song is a perfect example of how talented and dedicated the band is. You don't get such detail in a vocicalist however James prove to be unique and numbing indeed. Whenever I listen to More Than Life, there's just something about them that sets them apart form any other band, it's the raw sound that hits your ears as it comes from the heart, the overall music that they make really does show this.

Picking you back off your feet with Seasons Change provides the lime light the drums as it focuses on themfor a while keeping the song together before James vocals tear you apart. What really breaks me is the next song releaed a while before the album as a single.

Do You Remember is the one song off the whole album which hits me hard.
Right from the intro you know the song is going to be a strong one, as soon as the vocals set in you can already feel the sadden rush taking over as the harmonies of the two vocalist sync with each other giving of a holding on broken feel. It's the broken screams that James shouts "STAY AWAY FROM ME" that really hits deep. Actually feeling broken inside whilst this song plays, the lyrics are so easily relatable as they're about your teenage love and it being broken a few times. The constant battle screams get louder and stronger as you feel them slap your face hard, along side the soft whispers that juxtapose with the narrative. Ending the song brings everything to a close with one final outbreak that gives you one final scream of leverage of relief.

Who would have thought that "I love you more than life" would actually be a lyric but in Sometimes it actually appears towards the end of the song, heightening all trapped emotions to escape, perfectly used and in line with the song this lyric works strongly as it's also a favourite touches they've added.

Ending the album off with Love Is Not Enough adds a new acoustic guitar melody that softly settles into more sadden violin strums that add to the albums authenticity.
In my opinion they couldn't have ended it better, being a suprise from them as we would expect James worn out screams, it was a nice peaceful touch MTL added, proving the 9/10 rating I have given them. 

Seahaven - REVERIE LAGOON: MUSIC FOR ESCAPISM ONLY

Released	25th March 2014
Recorded Record Label	2013 Run For Cover Records
Genre	Emo/ Blues/ Post
Length	51:33
Origin	Torrance, California
Rating	9 / 10

Waiting four years for another brilliant album by Seahaven was worth the wait. Previously they have released two similar lined albums in 2010-2011, with a close margin for them to share a great deal of corresponding themes. With this four year wait, we would expect the band to show some level of progression, and that's exactly what Seahaven have done in Reverie Lagoon: Music For Escapism Only. Doing exactly what it said in the title you will find a whole new paradise to be explored within the 14 track record. 

Introducing us to this change, Fifty-Four provides a drained melodic intro of a simple guitar riff, which is soon joined by vocalist Kyle Soto easing you with a light stretched sound that softly exits into its quiet outro. 

It's laid back trance is almost broken with the second track Andreas which kicks up a more lively nostalgic feeling from Ghost. Proven to be one of my favourites off the album due to its live upbeat tone hidden in Kyle's voice it allows the tranquil music to follow on, keeping its main focus to relax to. We have not lost the old Seahaven, as clear elements are shown in Flesh.

Another upbeat and catchy song, this one allows for more movement and attitude as it makes you want to dance around to its breakout beat of the drums and electric feel of the guitars, having a really edgy and sharp spit to it, the strong is overpowering with it's hard hitting strength. 

The start to this album is clearly different in what you probably were expecting, however it has been carefully crafted to overlay perfectly, not causing an obvious change in their subtle sound. Four years of work has paid off as this is an album which you can just sit back and relax to, not even bothering to get up to change the song, they all intertwine with another to work as an escapist trance which you can lose yourself in. Something not commonly done but definitely needed, Seahaven have managed to accomplish this desire we all secretively crave in one beautiful album. Referring to it's artistic style and composure, its delightful melody's and soft brittle tone that tenses at various peaks, each song is tranquil and calming to your ears.

One song in particular stood out from the rest, On The Floor instantly hit me with its captivating repetitive guitar strum playing over and over in your heard. The simple utterances in which Kyle exposes ever so shortly and peacefully adds to the climatic narrative. Hearing his sharp unique voice echo captures such emotion and sadness, feeling knee deep, the drums kick in to save this downbeat song, lifting it higher with a second guitar beat. Softly fading out with its much familiar intro the song ends on a similar note to as it started.

Love To Burn brings out their more indie blues style as related themes from Kodaline and explored with the quiet instrumental build up to create a focus on its overall sound rather than just the vocals, which parallel it perfectly. 

With most of their songs over four minutes in length the last one Four-Eleven ends the album with a nice soft transition back to the start, having a strong correlation with Fifty-Four it sets you back with an obvious finish as it comes to no surprise that another well-constructed album has been made from Seahaven. 

Overall I thought the album was brilliant, hitting every right spot in my mind allowing it to be a soft and easy listen, I am really confident that the change they have taken was the right one, as it truly is unique and remarkable. Giving it four stars and a 9/10 was well deserved as it's truly relaxing. 

You Me At Six - Cavalier Youth Album Review

Released	27 January 2014
Recorded	2013
Genre	Rock, Music, Alternative,Adult Alternative, Punk
Length	43:13
Label	BMG Rights
Rating	5.5/ 10

I wasn't too sure if I wanted to review this album or not but already doing some on the previous three, I thought it would be interesting to see the pattern and journey  the Surrey band You Me At Six have chosen. (Also released on my birthday, I couldn't resist)
Being their fourth major studio album released by a new label it was sure the band have yet again taken another turn, this time a little too far down the wrong track. Progressively the band have shown a slow distance sway towards their music, with each album slowly deteriorating from their first "Take Off All Your Colours" and have now reached to the bottom of the trash.
Not to be overly negative, but I have been a supporter of this band since their first album, as I have watched them grow with each one, I have also found myself lost, but with Cavalier Youth, it has finally ended my journey. Being totally in love with the first two albums and pretty swayed with Sinners Never Sleep I knew that this new release was going to be way out of their usual comfort zone. After listening to it for a couple of days I have finally made my own decisions on how I feel towards it, if you were an old YMAS fan then you may agree with some of the points I'm trying to say but overall It's worth a listen and I really did enjoy it, but as an album by the band I spent my teenage years on, I didn't relate to it well.

Before the album was released in its entirety, three new songs featured on it were banged on about all over the internet with various positive comments and professional style music videos to match. First out the bag was "Lived A Lie" a very catchy positive and upbeat song, imminently sweeping the nation with their typical charm however this song didn't keep me on my toes. With its first listen I didn't seem to understand it, but with more and more views I began to let myself open up a little and enjoy it slightly. Hearing a familiar rocky guitar intro I was pleased that they had kept this talent alive, however ending too soon with lead vocalist Josh Franceshi jumping right in with his upbeat vocals which lead right to the chorus. Bright and bouncy the song does prove to be one of the strongest within the album as I can find myself reuniting with their previous work. Lyrically wise it was poor and lacking meaning, like Sinners Never Sleep, the typical themes within this album are heavily based on relationship troubles. Disappointing me further with its basic repetitive chorus of "We are believers" the song ends in its mediocre finale. Overall I feel that this song was just overly hyped about for my expectations.

Following this impressive new take to their genre was "Fresh Start Fever" which contained a more adult, serious themed music video, impressed with this choice in style, the actual song lets it all down. Just when I thought it was getting better. Instrumentally wise it's pretty bland and basic, with no outburst of drums or a heavy screeching guitar riff it felt more like a Josh Franceschi song than an YMAS one. Despite this, they have clearly produced another bouncy generic song, with its short cut lyrics placed in perfect time with the snare crashing of the crescendo, YMAS have shown some new impressive talent here. Liking this song better than Lived A Lie I can see how modern and wide the band have gone totally different from any of their other music, as they have definitely taken on the alternative rock approach leaving their punkiness behind and growing up a bit. Pleasing the mainstream audiences, with its time of release it did sound a lot like all the new bands and their new albums like Fall Out Boy and Panic! due to this influence I feel like they have gotten easily strayed away into this group of change.

Close to its release date "Hope For The Best" was next out, keeping their treasured guitar intro in place, Franceschi's vocals came in a whole lot stronger and solid this time. Now feeling like all my hopes are restored, this song proved to lift my spirits up a bit as I found myself instantly glued to it, reminding me a lot of Hold Me Down. Solidly perfecting their catchy head bobbing pace, Dan Flint proved to show his drumming skills here a lot more taking its adult alternative feel with a joining bridge of the guitars into it's sucking chorus beat before ending the song with a similar outro.

Starting the album off we have "Too Young To Feel This Old" which sets the mood right away with this whole theme of growing up. Perfectly in line with their new sound this songs gives a brief overview of the new route they have taken in growing up along with this new alternative sound. Not venturing around too far, this proves to deploy some old themes in Hold Me Down with its serious tone combined with the instrumental gift the band are blessed with, this song is a secure opener to Cavalier Youth.

The next few songs seem to be fillers of the sandwich which are less important and rather bland.  "Forgive and forget" covers an inherent laid back relax style tune which doesn't stand out to be a song produced by You Me At Six, as I feel this is the case with a lot of the songs, causing the album to be poor in comparison to their others despite the claim Josh and Max broadcasted that "This album is defiantly the strongest by far".
Fifth up "Room To Breath" certainty does give the other members some breathing time to show off their talent a little more than Josh has given them. All credit goes to Max, Dan, Chris and Matt in this song as I feel it's the most strongest instrumentally wise and would be better off as an interlude rather than making it another "Song about Josh". In spite of this YMAS verify once again they can pull it off making it their own track and doing the band some more justice they deserve.
"Win Some Lose Some" tackles a resembling yet more "I told you so" reminiscence that I get from their first two records, with their new modern twist added on, this song doesn't strike me or catch my attention but does flow along with the album well.

Taking on a whole happier and pleasant theme in which has shown through Josh's personal life this reflects directly on the album as it seems to focus on his moods, which is a great thing for him just not the band, as it has left them somewhat in the shadows of his happiness. Not to say that they are not happy, I just hoped that there would be a variety of sounds within each song rather than a nice smooth transition from one to another, it's almost samie with the odd distinctive song that catches the tip of your ear.
Along with its bland choice of songs, the titles follow closely which seem to lack in the creative side a little, I mean what even is "Love Me Like You Used to? Hope for the best, Forgive and Forget" they all just seem like generic sayings lacking the surprising and extravagant mind set shown in "You call that a comeback, There Is No Such Thing As Accidental Infertility and Blue Eyes Don't Lie" I can see them trying to relate more directly to their fans with "Be Who You Are" by choosing these song titles which is a good thing, yet it dissolves all originality and spring.

Finally we have "Wild Ones" which again restores the albums strength as it's a perfect closing song that revolves around Sinners Never Sleep. Slow pace, the song starts up its steady drum beat which floats peacefully alongside Josh's vocals that layer up in time to the chorus. More of a realisation song that I feel close to, all faith has now been restored as I really did enjoy this song settling the relaxed mood to just sit back and let it flow through my ears. The band certainly do know what they're doing, despite the lack of evidence, the album flows perfectly even if it's not up to my taste it is a solid one. If it wasn't by them, without all their previous history then it would probably earn a much higher rating of 7, however this is not the case and I feel a little more disappointed with them as they started of strong but didn't come out swinging.
All in all the album is a nice listen to once in a while but not something I would listen to a lot or get into, as each song blends into another I feel half and half about it, therefor earning only a 5.5
Better luck next time? Or not, maybe even worse, who knows?

Full stream here: Cavalier Youth

Decade - Good Luck Album review

Released	13 January 2013
Recorded	2012
Genre	Pop Punk/ Alternative Rock
Length	26:00
Label	Spinefarm Records
Rating	7.7 / 10

The five piece pop punk Decade from Bath, have just released their first ever Album titled "Good Luck" following two brilliant EPs, the band have reached a great success throughout their four years of being together. Certainty being consistent with their music, keeping fans posted regularly, no disappointment was expected and with the massive hype over Good Luck, it was safe to say that they have withheld that expectation.
Starting the album off right away with its titled song, "Good Luck" the band show their progression in musical talent, with a similar nostalgic feel that Alex Sears produces in every song with the heavy upbeat pop punk beat banged out within the drums. Placement of this song slowly introduces the audiences to this album, as "Brainfreeze" follows, a much more well known song that can easily relate their fans.
One of my favourite songs in the album, it produces a more diverse range in it's changing beat between chorus and verse, the little pre-chorus instrumental touches add to the more rock feel in which they are producing, that sit softly with Alex's vocals that keep the song intact, proving its strengths towards the bridge, where we get a heighten feel, ending the song in unity.

"Callous" follows with its more familiar rhythm as this song can relate to a lot of existing bands in its sounding, as at first it's not as recognisable to Decade as such, it proves the diversity in which their sound takes, another strong contestant, Decade have mixed up everything, focusing heavily on the instrumental bridge which moulds the song, showing its importance as well as the Vocals are involved.

Despite not being a huge fan of the band, I do appreciate the music they make and how advance they have done this, they are a quality to the UK, improve our music scene as we are proud to have them represent us within a mixture of alternative rock as well as emerging as a pop punk band, their complexity of sound is impressive all the same.

The next few songs which follow take on a more alternative rock feel, matching instruments to vocal pitch, each song catchy in their own way and distinctive in sound, easily to note that they have made each song special, creating the whole album to be solid.

Coming to a close of the album, "Coffin" stands out as a great ending song with its changing in pitch that differs from a low calm settlement to a high tension chorus that edges it's rock vibrant sound that Decade have perfected, setting them apart from many other contemporary bands, they have set their own trade mark to each song ending them with a sharp cut.
Finally coming to a close with "Fake Teeth" a slightly slower pace is taken still keeping its simple rhythm, the song ends on a similar note as many others, more down beat and softer, it conforms to its finish look, as again placing a strong song last it remains in your mind for a while to repeat.

Overall I would say that the album is very strong in its self -proving to be a great starter for Decade and many high hopes for more to follow as they do deserve this massive recognition and a wider fan base, not bad for a first album eh lads?

Currently going to be on tour with Man Overboard and Mayday Parade! Such a brilliant opportunity for them. Well done!

Neck Deep - Wishful Thinking Album Review

Released	13 January 2013
Recorded	2012
Genre	Pop Punk
Length	32:00
Label	Hopless Records
Rating	6.5/10

No doubt that Neck Deep are extremely talented in producing entertaining, lively pop punk music as a British band, they serve us justice, it's just not as justified on the latest album. Made up of 5 young, ambitious young lads from Wrexham forming in 2012, they have proved to race through their starting carer and hit it up big time by recently getting signed to Hopeless Records. Not bad for a years work.
Trying to top their previous EP, "Rain In July" was bound to be hard as their very first "Head To The Ground" only gave us a taster of what was next to come. Hoping that they would carry on this aggressively, relatable song theme from their first album, they chose to take a slightly laid back turn with Wishful Thinking.

Being a good fan of the band, I had high expectations and hopes for them to produce a solid style album packed with Ben's edgy sharp vocals which provide a nostalgic theme of "All Hype No Heart" showing a more stronger, mash up style which was hinted before. Preparing us with the release of two songs before the album stream I knew that this wasn't going to be present.
Don't get me wrong, I do love "Crushing Grief (No Remedy)" as a song as it proves to be the strongest one in the whole album, being the nucleus of the whole setup. Matching this with a brilliantly structured music video in which their fans have helped them make, the song just draws a full highlight on everything they are about. My only setback would be that it is quite a change in the rhythm, in comparison  to their old music. Loosing that simple 4/4 on the drums and pushing it forward with a much stronger, faster energetic beat, it proves to show a different side to the pop punk genre.

Enough about that, and more about the actual album. Wanting to do a review on this album is hard when I fell so in love with their previous EP's as I feel this one just lacks enthusiasm and passion. However it's not to say that I don't like the album. The songs overall provide a strong, catchy beat which keep the positive moods to linger, still adding the basic conventions of the pop punk genre. It loses it's sense of "FUCK YOU, I HATE MY GRIRLFRIEND, I HATE YOU" and focuses more on the softer happier times.

The album starts off with "Losing Teeth" one we haven't experienced yet, wasting no time we are introduced to the Vocals almost imminently. As a starter song, they have chosen it well, as it still reminds us of the previous music they have made with the sharpness of the guitar strums on the verse but then it also displays the new style, which is much softer and toned within the chorus and Ben's main vocals. All in all, the song provides a lot of variety when listening to it, easing us into the new troposphere which is being created.
Following that new start is "Crushing Grief" which is quite obviously my favorite song off the whole album. Still encountering the troubles of teenage heartbreaks, this song proves to keep the close relateness Neck Deep have with their crowds, each lyrics in the chorus has been stuck in my mind ever since I started listening to it, and that's when you know it's going to be a success.

We then get to the middle, mediocre songs which tend to escape my mind as soon as they finish, not really putting any impact into my thoughts or even catching a line which implants my memory, I would rate these songs as just average. "Damsel In Distress" however does restore some of these thoughts with it's regained chorus that follows a listing feel that you will find yourself moving to.
Most of these songs seems to mix into others as they don't have a clear distinction between them to separate each one as their own, however saying this they do collaborate well together as an album, so on the whole overview they do work and can be very strong to the right set of ears.
"Zoltar Speaks" starts of with a strong riff which really does grab your attention as it slightly differs in key than the others, but this is loss with the generically structured verse/ chorus/ verse.

Halfway through the album and we are met with "Growing Pains" a slightly familiar song with a brilliant music video. When this first got released I imminently felt that something wasn't right about it, as though they were missing the aggressive stretches of Ben's voice. Placed with a simple, basic and easy beat the song carries this consistent bottom line tune which also shows strongly in their unproductive lyrics that seem to take an weak aspiration in the whole album.

One thing is for sure, that adding a new version of "What Did You Expect" was personally a bad idea. Firstly seeing the title made me think that they've just added the song in again which is fine, as it is already perfect as it is, but then I listened to it and it just sounded wrong. To me it was a train wreck gone wrong, re doing a song is always going to end bad, especially as they were trying to record it to fit in with the album which is much more simple and slow paced than the original song to keep up with. The changes to it are minor but they are changes in which I could pick out almost imminently, as hearing two versions you're always going to have to compare them to be good and bad. My opinion may be just so bias to me loving the original but it almost just pains me that they have ruined a really strong song. If you haven't heard the original then you will just probably think that it's brilliant, and it is, in the albums perspective it's a great song to add to it, improving its quality, but because we know its a remake it just pulls the whole atmosphere down a bit.
Ending the album with "Candour" was just something way to typical for Neck Deep to do. Normally full of surprises the band have tried to conform to the majority of albums with a slowed down, sad song leaving you thinking in past thoughts. For them however it proves a much wider variety of talent they are capable of producing as the violin touch does add to the song in its strength, making me like it slightly more than I should.

One of my main problems I have found with this album is not the music it's self but me, I have had  high hopes for it and for me to try and adjust to the new sound they are producing. It's not a bad album, I do like it in its entirety, some songs more than others, it's just very average when listen to individually with no clear message in the songs that seem to talk about the same things, it lacks that attack they had in their previous work. It may also be to do with them getting signed, and trying to produce an overall audience rather than keeping that tight niche one which loved their unique and quirkiness, the band have tried new things and that's never hurt anyone, well maybe a few fans.
I hope this is an album you'd have to listen to a few times before you get your heard round it because i'm still not feeling the full love here.

The album is released on Monday 13th January so make sure you have a listen to it yourself before taking my work for it.
Or even catch them on tour this whole month with ROAM!

Tracklisting:
Losing Teeth
Crushing Grief (New Remedy)
Staircase Wit
Damsel and Distress
Zoltar Speaks
Growing Pains
Say What You Want
Mileage
Sweet Nothings
What Did You Expect?
Blank Pages
Candour

You Me At Six Sinners Never Sleep - Album Review

Released	3 October 2011
Recorded	2011; Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genre	Alternative rock, pop punk, post-hardcore
Length	47:57
Label	Virgin
Producer	Garth "GGGarth" Richardson Matt O'Grady Rating                6/10

Sinners Never Sleep proved to be the third studio album from Surreys alternative rock band You Me Six. The album was released on 30th September 2011 through Virgin Records once again. The album reached No.3 on the UK charts as it was then also certified Gold in the UK for 150,000 sales, giving it the band's biggest success to date. Increasing in fan base as well as their profits, the five piece band have grown and changed a lot from where they had originally started out.

Knowing to never drop their teenaged boy love heartbreak themes in which they have previously carried out in past albums, the band have carried this on with adapting a more mature attitude to progress further whilst still keeping their very young, adolescent fan base. "Loverboy" portrays this perfectly, opening the album with all of you me at six's strengths. A banging chorus which follows its high, upbeat tempo fits in solidly, as you will find this tune repeat in your head over again, implanting it's mark in your memory forever. Acting on impulse this song, shows the advancement of what was once a teenaged boy relationship into something that's more fun and playful rather than serious, despite covering some heart filled emotional secrets within this album.
The next song "Jaws On The Floor" certainly does leave you breathless, with a matching guitar riff, You Me At Six have done it again, providing a well structured ever changing song. With each verse attacking in its sharp utterance, the chorus juxtaposes with Josh's vocals showing off a more softer side, it's composed so beautifully that the two synchronised with each other, produce a matched bridge.

The third song in, and we have already hit a bump in the road, "Bite My Tongue" is the most pivotal journey from the band as this song was written by lead vocalist Josh, who expressed his feeling about his fellow band members, where it came to the point where the wanted to break up the band due to disputes among each other, a controversial song in which the band are playing about themselves, it does prove to be one of the strongest in the album. "Well in the end what are you without me." this line along with many other just demonstrates his hatred and anger with them as the lyrics follow a hatred theme, truly expressing his raw emotions which we haven't yet seen . To withheld this angered theme, Oliver Sykes appears as guest vocals towards the bridge of the song, screaming swear words at each member, providing a hard hitting tone that sets the mood black, however the song ends with Josh admitted " I can't hate the ones who made me", bringing us back to terms that every other member in the band is just as important as he is and without them he wouldn't be who he is today. This is not the only song in the album where a famous guest vocalist is present as "Time Is Money" is another hard hitting, hardcore side to you me at six, as they have pulled out of their pop punk genre and started to hybrid off with various others, giving them a diverse and progressive sound, improving each time they release an album.
With it's high paced, alternative mood, this song just shows that You Me At Six can pull of such a metalcore/ hardcore genre with the heightened guitar chords repeated over and over again, Winston's breakdown of vocals compresses the song together, making it their heaviest yet effective in the album. Doing well by using two famous screamers to collaborate in two songs, Sinners Never Sleeps may just won over the others.

Coming from such a heightened tension song we then get to "This Is The First Thing"  which relaxes us slightly, this album is filled with a lot of filler, clam songs that talk about wanting to be with that someone who has caused so much pain, like this song there are also many others which follow this emotional pattern, targeting a more saddened feel rather than a jealous payback theme you would find in previous albums. The rest of the album is infectious as its bouncy rhythms are sweet in ballad styles, which is highlighted by "The Dilemma, which captures your attention imminently, separating it's self from the rest o the album, this is the one song which is sang in a recall story type, as it opens with Josh in a Cockney accent, building onto a chorus that hides heavy threaded riffs throughout, this song shows off the bands more fun, sarcastic not caring side as it is shown to be a joke, further making it lovable all the same.

"No One Does It Better" is another sad ballad style which follow "Crash" a more heightened song along with " A Little Bit Of The Truth"
Now I want to talk about each one separately as I do feel that they are importation contributions to the album, the overpopulated  themes of sorrowful ballads just show the unluckiness in which the band have experienced with girls and common problems.
Pulling out of their teenaged boy way of dealing with them, YMAS have shown a more mature stratified way in expressing how they feel and focusing on the more happy times they had when in a relationship. Songs like these just make you feel warm inside, reminiscing on your own happiness and what you once had, feeling nostalgic and seeing your past experiences in a more positive mindset.
Crash takes the once pumped up heavy guitar riff and slows it down to form a base platform for Josh to sing on with his beautiful harmonized voice. Building up on layers, Crash does this with each verse, pre-chorus and then finally exploding in its main chorus where his vocals are heighten to the max, making an overwhelming blast filled with anger and passion that you can feel, matches your inner thoughts.
"But when I looked at here I thought of only you" Still playing on these, unresolved feelings, "Just crash fall down" has a much memorable lyrical pattern as they are so simple, yet so strong once stuck in your mind, describing how sometimes you just want to be with the person you once loved, hoping that things would go back to how they were, the song has hopefully spirits which gain the audience to not feel embarrassed about these emotions by letting them out in a song.
" A Little Bit Of The Truth" pushes forth a more present happiness, as we have reached an end to this troubled journey and we now have Josh expressing his current feelings, finally like at the end of a fairy tale we are restored to our happiness in that one person who has made us feel "invincible" this song is simply placed to just show that all in one song.

Progressing on to their past, "Little Death" carries on the heavy guitar riffs along with the quiet banged drums which get it's glory to shine in the later chorus. Banging out at full blast, the powerful choruses are back and stay, using their talent for producing such mind blowing, head banning tunes, this album is filled with many variants of them. Right till the very end this song carries on it's hard rock vibration as it draws to a very short close. Keeping hopes up high, "Reckless"  corroborates to provide a captivated ending to the album, with just a few songs left this is the feel good, gig song which gets the crowd pumping. As in it's name the song is just about being reckless and not caring, having a good time with your friends and remembering that not everything is serious, reminding us back of our childish tactics, this song has provided a constant bounce whilst listening to it, as I have found it hard to stop myself from moving along to it's infectious beat.
Much appreciating this song is banged right at the end of the album, it molds the rest of the album, making it a little bit less mush and serious, with it's over-powerment of moshing beats, Reckless will prove to lift up everyone's spirits.

Taking over a whole new feel and atmosphere, "When We Were Younger" just puts your mind back in place to the more serious, reef tone. Ending the album off with such a downbeat song is tricky to do, however with the mix-up of various feelings, it proves to work as it's not completely sedate as Josh, once again stunned us all with his hauled, stepped up vocals that reach a native quiver in the room. This song still gives me chills, as it's a little flashback of when you were younger, remembering all these things that you got told but never thought you would experiences, talking about a journey of growth this song is vital to the album as in each one we have taken a level of progression to the band which we are finally meting here, that they have now grown up into young mature adults.
The stunned powerful "Ooooooooooo"'s indulge a thoughtful insight to their much complex minds, almost making you feel these same painful memories they are recalling.

Once again YMAS have brilliantly composed an album which strays a little more form their original path, yet still interacting old themes with revisiting new ones and combining them to make mature, advanced songs. I can say that their fans still would be happy, as well as gaining many more new ones, this band certainly do know how to use their music to their advantage, finishing 2011 with another brilliant album.
The only reason in why I gave it a lower rank than the previous two is because of its modern adaptation in which they are trying to please a mass audiences rather then a niche, old fan base, I can see the troubles it may cause with losing fans over their new genre sound, yet still slightly keeping their old style, YMAS have gown up and most of their fans still haven't which is the problem not the albums.