Where on Earth do you start when debating the Hawthorne Heights back story?
* The fact they’re responsible for a million copycat ’emo’ bands?
* Their spat with label Victory Records which resulted in lawsuits ahoy?
* Kissing and making up with said label as if nothing had ever happened?
* The death of one of the band’s members, Casey Calvert due to ‘accidental causes’
I could perhaps take the length of a review to talk about everything that has happened since the band’s last album. It’s a minor miracle that ‘Fragile Future’ is even here with us as I’m sure a great many bands would have given up with the amount of shit they’ve gone through. Instead Hawthorne Heights have used their experiences to write an album influenced by pain and grief, trying to turn their tales into something more positive. At times it’s a very sad and reflective record – ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘Four Become One’ are very, very ‘heavy’ and ’emotional’ songs reflecting on the death of Casey. And while the band don’t always get it right musically (the latter is a little bit…well, basic) the message is there. It still sounds like Hawthorne Heights and it’s still their poppy brand of emo, but the weight of the band’s message is more apparent than ever before. The inspiration behind this record will make you change your mind when it comes to HH from now on.
Taken on face value fans will love this record and it’s arguably their best yet. ‘The Business of Paper Stars’ and ‘Somewhere In Between’ are very, very catchy songs in the vein of ‘Saying Sorry’ and ‘Niki FM’ and will undoubtedly become fan favourites. ‘Desperation’ is another song which sticks out for me. But the album’s hidden depths make this the real reason to check it out. You could always level accusations that Hawthorne Heights were a one or two dimensional band, but everything that has gone on has certainly sharpened them up as musicians and songwriters. Lyrically they’re much, much better than before (you can forget ‘slit my wrists and black my eyes‘, kids) and while they don’t always hit the right spots, they do more often than not.
There’s an overwhelming feeling of brotherhood on ‘Fragile Future’. This is the sound of a band fighting for their future, coming together to get through the loss of a friend, maybe even a brother. Perhaps this record became the catharsis to get through such a tragedy, I don’t know. ‘Fragile Future’ is a dark record, it’s written from a bleak place. But out of darkness comes something much more positive; the belief that if you stick together you can get through anything. And Hawthorne Heights have come through tragedy with their best album to date.