Akissforjersey - New Bodies (2014) [Gorgatz]

Akissforjersey - New Bodies (2014) [Gorgatz]



- I N F O -

Many times there are musicians and listeners who get caught up in the idea that complexity in a band's art always equals having created better art. We become enraptured in our contemporaries and our role models, and decide that anything unlike them must be inferior.

All it takes is a moment to step back from such thoughts and realize that intricacy is not necessary for beauty. Akissforjersey's third album, New Bodies, exemplifies this perfectly: simple and sound music with a message which is often the strongest catalyst for sincere honesty, deep change and a fantastic craft.

The band's tuneful harmonies, vocal swells and instrumental brawn are combined with ease on this release. From the get-go, the album's vibe gives a healthy nod to the likes of Emery, Underoath and The Overseer. The band's ability to create an infectious flow from aggressive phrasings to melodic riffing and back comes across as tightly-knit.

Immediately slapping listeners awake, vocalist Zach Dawson's lines transition from screams to articulated, passion-filled singing. His screams are an interesting and rowdy combination of a yell and a scream, giving them a slightly raw edge, which makes his placement of screamed lyrics all the more engaging. Dawson's clean singing grips the listener throughout the album, notably in the softer songs. Instrumentalists Tyler Lucas, Bob Gassett, Parker Williams and Joey Allen deliver dynamically heavy riffing and rhythmic patterns to support Dawson's spirited vocals.

The opening track "War" abruptly strikes the listener with an upbeat tempo, and proceeds from riff to riff without slowing down. On this song, Dawson issues a two-part message. On one hand, he puts forth a bold rallying cry for listeners to understand that no war outside the body can be of greater significance than the spiritual war that resides within. On the other, Dawson uses the song as a self-reflection to reveal personal gratitude for God.

"Revival" keeps the album rolling right along into more catchy and pumped-up riffage. The vocal lines on this song weave particularly well with the energy that is ever-present in Lucas' and Gassett's melodic guitar work. "The Sound of Revolution" features interesting time changes and heavier syncopation. "DeathEater" is one of the groovier tracks on the album. This track is certainly one to please fans of the band's heavier side. Well-orchestrated cacophonous guitar parts carry the listener through the band's barrage.

Title track "New Bodies" treats the listener to a slower tempo, as the band explores areas of softer melody. This track also highlights bassist Parker Williams' timely and tasteful bass work. On "Widow/Maker", the band reveals well-thought-out clean guitar phrases as they compose a nearly ballad-esque piece. Drummer Joey Allen's fills and Williams' bass grooves shine particularly bright on this track. As a drummer myself, it is incredibly refreshing to hear a drum kit that is not over-played or triggered, especially in today's crowded hard music scene.

Bringing it right back to a brisk tempo and instrumentals filled with vigor, "Dear Wayward, (There Is Hope Yet)" approaches the listener with incredibly full guitar riffs and melodies that invoke a sense of urgency, both in Dawson's vocals and the band's message. This track manages to capture a pace and vibrancy that is not often paralleled.

"Bones" opens with a vocal chorus but rapidly becomes one of the most crushing tracks on the entire album. The chorus of the song is a plea for life to be brought back into one's existence, and the struggle that we all face as humans who have to deal with the reality of death every day. It also speaks about how death does not stand victorious over Christ's blood. "Fell Short, Walk Tall" is a transitionary track that features a distorted spoken word passage underneath echoing guitar.

"Blind & Bound" is a brief and straightforward track with plenty of punch and aggression, reminding the listener that the ride is not quite over yet. "Everything New" closes out the album, featuring a wandering piano track to interweave with Dawson's clean singing before the band accompanies him. Allen's percussive backing, particularly his snare work, compliments the melodic instruments with a graceful simplicity. Akissforjersey wraps up New Bodies with soaring harmonies that give non-hard music bands a run for their money.

The only area the band could strive to improve would be to make each individual song more distinct on future releases. They have carved out a niche for themselves in the melodic hard music scene that suits them well - as long as they continue to polish and modify their soundscape, this is a band that could really take off in the near future.

- T R A C K L I S T -

01. War
02. Revival
03. The Sound Of Revolution (feat. Kevin Bryant)
04. Death Eater
05. New Bodies
06. Widow Maker
07. Dear Wayward (There Is Hope Yet)
08. Bones
09. Fell Short, Walk Tall
10. Blind & Bound
11. Everything New (feat. Sid Menon)

Quality : mp3, CBR 320 kbps
Genre : Post-Hardcore
Size: 92.86 MB