I had quite high hopes for this release, but after listening to this 8-tracker several times, I just feel very disappointed indeed. Brigend’s The Title, The Author were formed from the ashes of SheDiedInJune, a band who I’d heard many, many good things about. But this new band – described by the members as a cross between ‘Thrice, Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab For Cutie and Taking Back Sunday‘ – are a lot more mainstream and ‘safe’. And in sounding like a hell of a lot of other bands, many of the 8 songs here sound flat and disappointing.
‘Art Of the Possible’ is the best track here, a brooding effort that builds up quite nicely into a corking chorus, but all too often the band head down a tried and tested path that disappoints. Clearly a talented bunch, this EP often lacks a killer chorus or enough of a punch to stand out from the pack. And with their former band a little more hard-hitting, the lack of power here sticks out like a sore thumb. With an intro and an interlude, plus an acoustic mix of ‘Art of the Possible’, it means there are actually only five tracks here and for 30 minutes of music all too often parts could have been shaved off to make it more compact and listenable.
The Title, The Author are not a bad band at all, but this could, and probably should, have been a lot, lot better. There are moments which suggest the band have the ability to write good songs, but that’s just not here in any form of consistency.
Paul