artist:
.hopesfall.
album: a types
label:
trustkill records
released: 11/2/2004
by:
eduardo moutinho
It would be an understatement for me to
say that I eagerly anticipated this release. In fact, it would be
a gross understatement. I peronsally viewed A Types as a potential
creative plateau for hopesfall, and I couldn't help but wonder
what kind of revolutionary advancements they would incorporate
into their already unique melodic hardcore sound.
Unfortunately, A Types is a complete devolution. It is also a
complete disappointment.
Granted, the band showcased here really isn't the hopesfall we are
familiar with. The drummer is new and one of the guitar players is
new (the fourth guitarist to accompany Josh Brigham since the
band's inception and first to work on a hopesfall release since
the original guitarists, Brigham and Ryan Parrish). The only
remaining member of the band that was present when the iconic
songs of No Wings to Speak Of were created is Brigham. Yet, the
band still calls itself hopesfall, and that name carries lofty
expectations.
The music showcased on A Types is good, yet it is fundamentally
unoriginal. The wonderful organic song structures and masterful
transitions of yesteryear are gone, replaced by traditional and
often-times boring choruses, verses, etc. The music seems to have
a sugary coating to it, giving it a tint of radio-rock blandness.
The drumming is uninspired, which makes me miss the amazing skill
of Adam Morgan. Also, unlike hopesfall's previous releases, the
vocals comprise of 95% singing and 5% screaming. It's almost as if
the screaming is there to make the music seem hard, yet it comes
across as cheap and forced. But like I said, the music is good,
and there are instances where some hopesfall staples shine
through, such as the chorus-effect driven guitars. It's definitely
on par with most of the decent emocore out there. Songs like "Icarus,"
"Champion Beyond Blessing," and "Owl" are solid pieces. However,
hopesfall isn't a dime-a-dozen emocore band, and this is what truly makes
this album an ultimate letdown. I was so upset to see hopesfall go
in this direction; they went backwards to become more acceptable
to mainstream audiences.
So I'm left astonished, angered, and saddened. This band isn't
hopesfall, plain and simple. The guys should have released this
album under a new name. In fact, this album has made me appreciate
the genius of No Wings to Speak Of and The Satellite Years even
more, which is amazing. Part of me is in denial, almost as if A
Types is a bad dream to be forgotten. It's tragic to wonder how
the sound hopesfall pioneered has been abandoned.
The guys dropped the torch, and bands like Jairus have picked it
up and continued the journey.
favorite song: "champion beyond blessing"
rating: 75%/100%
listen to .hopesfall.