We receive a lot of CDs here at PT Towers - probably in excess of 30 a week - and, let's be fair, the vast majority fall under the rather large emo/post-hardcore umbrella. Two years ago everything was pop-punk; three years ago it was ska. Ever since it's been off-kilter drums and awkward time changes, all wrung out with a drenching of ear-piercing screams. At first (see first albums by Finch, The Used and Taking Back Sunday on a commercial level), it was palatable. But as the years have gone by, only a few bands have stood the test of time and moved their sound on. Too many immitators, not enough innovators.
So please forgive me for taking one look and a browse of sevendaystilsunday's bio and thinking "not another emo band". Thankfully, these guys are really good and show plenty of promise. It's even more heartening to learn these guys are British - or Londoners to be more precise. Their sound is buried between that of early Finch, especially in the guitars, and latter day Shouting Myke or Aconite Thrill. There's a dual vocal attack - and at times the agression is very much an attack - which works really well, while the guitar parts are well thought out and differ from the usual drop-D drones that seemingly drop through our letterbox on an almost daily basis.
There's an expansive sound to tracks like 'When Sharks Swim Backwards' which make the songs sound three-dimensional, while the singing and screaming is used to good effect - it's not overdone and it's used at the right times. What stood out for me was the clever lead guitar; full of effects and interesting tones, making this short sampler of the band stand out from the pack. There's still work to be done on the basis of these three efforts, but when you consider nearly everyone is bored of this style of music, to keep somebody interested and make them want to hear more is no mean feat...
Paul
