- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: We Came as Romans
Album: Understanding What We've Grown To Be
Label: Equal Vision Records
Playtime: 47:36 min
Genre: Hardcore
URL: http://www.wecameasromans.com
Rip date: 2011-09-09
Street date: 2011-09-13
Size: 95.94 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 268 kbps / 4410Hz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
We Came As Romans place enormous emphasis on the positivity of the message in
their music, and to be fair, it is a rather refreshing and encouraging
perspective. ItÆs not, however, the most obviously brilliant thing about this
album. You may stay for the keep-the-faith message, but youÆll show up in the
first place for a rich and powerful release brimming with depth and sentiment.
True, itÆs a bit all over the place and packs everything but the kitchen sink
into its songs, but theyÆre exceedingly lovely, and make a stirring impact.
For someone admittedly not acquainted with their earlier efforts, it takes a
while to warm to the instant implosion of screaming and guitars here. ItÆs not
bad, but it doesnÆt do much to stand out or endear itself until the melodies
arrive in the latter half of ôMis//Understanding.ö The clean vocals of Kyle
Pavone are beautifully clear and ethereal and give the song a vivid resonance
that it would lack were it a more traditional rock song. The collision of
symphonics with rock is a touch overpowering at first, but quickly becomes a
defining and enhancing aspect of the music. ôEverything As Plannedö opens
strikingly, with a very theatrical symphonic sweep underpinning a more
plaintive rock song. The lush, grandiose score gives the song a real sense of
heart, which the more visceral elements serve to complement and pronounce.
The melodies throughout act as a kind of calming influence, adding a
harrowing, sentimental vibe. ôWhat I Wished I Never Hadö is a particularly
primal and forceful track, excelling in its tough and commanding sound, but
the melodies that float through it give it a sweeter and more accessible
touch. ôCast the First Stoneö is a heavy song with a haunted heart. Though it
is fast, assured, even relentless, there are lots of atmospheric twinges
ensuring that the song never quite remains what you expect it to be. ôThe Way
That We Have Beenö then introduces a string sample, further confounding
expectations. The vocals waft in and out over a hazy sound, before a blast of
carnage completely destroys the floaty intro. The two distinct styles come
together towards the end for a huge crescendo which packs all the power and
punch of a straight up metal track, but retains a graceful touch due to the
strings.
The album maintains this general trend throughout, in a series of increasingly
heavy songs fused to a more harmonious soul. ItÆs difficult to fault, as the
tracks all sound fantastic, but itÆs worth noting that this means thereÆs
little in the way of individual stand outs. The record seems to be one that
has to be appreciated as a whole, never really letting up or changing style
for long enough to gain some diversity. Yet, as noted above, this isnÆt
necessarily something to fault. There are some beautiful decorative touches
later on, as in ôA War Insideö and ôJust Keep Breathingö which both feature
flashes of freewheeling piano to add a dextrous and poignant air to the music.
The string section reappears throughout, most impressively perhaps on ôWhat My
Heart Heldö and the final track ôUnderstanding What WeÆve Grown to Be.ö It
adds something of resolution to the rushing guitars and a grandiose, more
theatrical style to the tracks. On the latter in particular, it provides a
dramatic conclusion as the record goes out on a seminal high note.
We Came As Romans have, thus, navigated the troublesome sophomore (full
length) album move with ease. The record is a consummately realised work,
showing sublime artistry and vision. The use of symphonic elements in heavier
music can be an acquired taste but here the band have illustrated the flair
and style that it can add. Individual songs or singles mightnÆt seem as easy
to appreciate, but as a whole, the album is a triumph.
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Mis//Understanding ( 3:57)
02. Everything as Planned ( 3:38)
03. What I Wished I Never Had ( 4:00)
04. Cast the First Stone ( 3:34)
05. The Way That We Have Been ( 3:44)
06. A War Inside ( 5:21)
07. Stay Inspired ( 3:33)
08. Just Keep Breathing ( 3:59)
09. Views That Never Cease, to Keep Me from Myself ( 3:47)
10. What My Heart Held ( 4:05)
11. I Can't Make Your Decisions for You ( 3:43)
12. Understanding What We've Grown to Be ( 4:15)
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