The Attika State have progressed into a delightful little band. While their talent has always been unquestionable (read older PT reviews for proof), personally I’ve felt the band disappeared up their own behinds a little too much, like Coheed and Cambria and Thrice have done as their careers have progressed. And while their have been flashes of brilliance, it’s always been tempered by a song drifting way over five or six minutes and ruining a song or two before that.
Signature Tune’s influence may have helped refine the band, because this record is The Attika State as they should be. ‘Trial’ is a touch of brilliance, guitars seemingly everywhere with a vocal that hammers home without being over elaborate, too American-sounding, whiney…basically cross off every complaint you’ve ever read about vocalists. These are spot on. And where the band fell down, in my opinion, last time round – song length – they’ve reigned in the tracks, cut out the superfluous moments and they leave their rock to do the talking. That said, their own description of ‘A summery prog-pop-rock behemoth of epic proportions!’ is perhaps a little OTT!
If you liked TAS before, this will send them further up in your estimations. I’m guessing the likes of the massive-sounding ‘Call That A Knife?’ may well convert a legion of new fans too…