If hype sold records then Stairwell would have already shifted a considerable number of copies. Lauded by Kerrang as one of the bands to watch this year, the Orange County fivesome certainly have a lot to live up to. Playing a brand of indie-pop rock that’s not too dissimilar from Jimmy Eat World circa ‘Bleed American’, having the mass media on their side will certainly help Stairwell. Signed to Hopeless Records they are about as far removed from the likes of Thrice and Avenged Sevenfold as possible. But do they live up to the hype?
No – that’s the simple answer. ‘The Sounds Of Change’ is a decent record but certainly not groundbreaking or good enough to have the commercial success of a JEW or even a Saves The Day. Dashboard Confessional producer James Paul Wisner is at the helm for this record and from that you know exactly where this is going. It’s polished pop-rock done well, very well in places, but there’s a lack of passion which costs Stairwell dear. They even have a song called ‘Familiar Streets’ ironically enough…
Kicking off an album with a nine second long rumble of thunder is a brave move, if not utterly pointless, so that leaves us with just nine proper songs left. It’s a good job then that the stunning ‘Disaster’ follows up, kicking and stomping with some carefully placed harmonies. With three guitarists and two vocalists Stairwell have plenty of backbone and this is a song that really stands out. Unfortunately it’s the only song that really stands out. Ho hum. ‘Breathless’ is deft with an excellent arpeggioed guitar riff and ‘Walk All Over’ has a classic feel to it, like it came from one of those legendary 70s rock bands. It’s just a pity the moments of averageness outweigh these highlights.
The likes of ‘Boxcar’ (not a Jawbreaker cover) and ‘All These Years’ are turgid affairs that are unoriginal and not particularly impressive. They’re certainly not worthy of any kind of hype that other zines and magazines may be lavishing them. ‘Perfect Weather’ sticks out a little bit for at least having an interesting guitar riff, but the awful ‘Familiar Streets’ tops everything off. It’s got no chorus, a bad verse and an instantly forgettable riff.
Stairwell start brightly and then fade very quickly. This is a record that may sound good for the first few listens but has absolutely no staying power whatsoever. The next big things? Unlikely.
www.stairwell.net
Paul