|
A Static Lullaby
Faso Latido
Columbia Records, April 2005
Genre: Metal Core
Also check out Showbread
and Letterkills.
When you think Chino, CA, the first
thing that often comes to mind is Chino State Penitentiary, a hulking
slab of concrete and steel that holds within its walls some of the most
dangerous criminals the Golden State has to offer. Standing in sharp
contrast to that is the town of Chino Hills, a small slice of Orange
County suburbia situated in the shadow of this man-made monstrosity; and
this is where A Static Lullaby call home. Creating a musical fortress as
imposing as the aforementioned edifice, their music is at first listen,
seemingly impenetrable but filled with an underlying humanity. Building
upon searing guitar riffs that stutter and tear, their songs quickly
shift into choruses that are as sensual as they are abrasive. (bio)
Musically
If you were a fan of the bands first album, And
Don't Forget To Breathe,
then you will really enjoy their debut on Columbia Records. The cd
is almost identical in style and sound but with an added edge of
maturity. The latest is another album A
Static Lullaby titled Faso Latido. One of the most and really
only unique things about this album is the first track which sounds like
whales searching for loved ones. It set a tone of a more gothic and
eerie album from Static but instead it is more of the same emo core
tracks we hear from about a million other bands. Even the cover
lacks originality as it looks like an image from "The Ring."
Don't take that as negative because if you are a true screamo fan then
this will fit into your collection just fine but for those looking for
something with a little more character, well it falls short. A
very good and solid cd with typical riffs and hooks. The band
calls themselves hard core and hard rock but I hear very little of that.
Mixing pop blends with screaming and I call that screamo. The first
track that grabbed my attention was "Radio Flyer's Last
Journey" which blended some speeded up pop punk with slight metal
edges. "Shotgun!" was another track that had some variation
with a more melodic feel. "Calmer Than You Are" was one of the
more appealing tracks on the disc with a harder edge and metal guitars.
Vocally/Lyrically
Again, nothing against this band but the vocals sound very similar
to all the other screamo bands out there. They are good, good
range, good screams and good singing vocals but nothing for me to get
excited about. Lyrically, they blend very confusing lyrics with
dark metaphors. I didn't find any offensive lyrics, other than
listed as a title but not sang in one song ("Godbless You (God
D***it)"). A couple references dealing with sexual overtones
and also alcohol were listed in a few tracks. Overall, the cd
deals with the inner hurt and pain that many teens deal with involving
their self worth and relationships both with parents and friends.
I didn't really see much of a positive light to the tracks but nothing
overtly offensive either. I prefer bands with a more positive
approach and not songs that can be taken in either direction. I also
found the references to Jesus and God very confusing in the song titles
and could see it as taken offensively but not really sure the meaning
behind it. The overall themes are dark without a positive ending that I
could really find.
Overall a decent musical cd but nothing that
grabbed my attention. I think former fans of this band and other
die hard emo fans will find it enjoyable but don't plan on hearing it
hitting the charts anytime soon. I pass on the cd with a 'pg' rating.
"Shotgun!"
We've done our time (we've done what you said)
Twitch through the night (I wish I was you violation)
So hold on tight
I watch her spin out of control (she spins)
I watch her spin out of control (she spins)
I watch her spin out of control (she spins)
I watch her spin!
And we are the ones who held you tightly
(the trigger is cold as blood
and your pain is now my depression)
And this feels like heaven
The sin has become a massive piece of mind,
I guess I ran it over a thousand times in my head,
I can say I never felt this way
because your violation was skin deep
I've ended your pain and written my own ending
I'm guilty but flawless
If this is justice, I'm your jury
The chamber is loaded
And now I have the shotgun riding shotgun
"The Jesus Haircut"
It's time we took this holiday
We thank you and send our regards
The beach is great, this time of year
Fortunately we see
The first sight of snow we'll sing
and this was beautiful (and this is beautiful)
and this was beautiful (and this is beautiful)
and you must feel (that this is a better way of dying)
We trusted you (we trusted you, we trusted you!)
Praise! Fight! Destroy!
Praise! Fight! Destroy!
Praise! Fight! Destroy!
Praise! Fight! Destroy! |
