Quality over quantity
- david1170
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
Suspect Device review Low Standards High Fives, Death of Youth and Hidden Cabins LPs
Forced, once again, back into the reviewing game by the gaffer. And I’m happy about it too after listening to these guys several times through. A band from Turin, Italy, who have been around a while, since 2012 I think I read. This is their 2nd album apparently so not exactly prolific, but it’s very much quality over quantity it seems. And a sound steeped in that “mid western Emo” genre, though done really well and they would fit perfectly on the Deep Elm record label of yore I reckon. A 5 piece band with 3 guitarists who also all take a turn at singing as well, but I feel like it’s the drummer who is the “star of the show” on these songs, he certainly seems to know his way round a kit!, whether it be the quiet slow parts or the explosive heavy parts, he seems to drive the songs along. Vocals are mainly sung, with a few screams when needed. Lyrics seem personal and pretty cryptic, but good. The album cover is a cool shot of a front room but everything is covered with plastic sheets for some reason, without any band name or info. Production is done by the band and Manuel Volpe and is spot on. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this.
Engineer (si)
Low Standards High Fives - http://suspectdevicehq.blogspot.com/p/reviews_29.html
These guys are a UK band, London in fact, and are playing “screamo” type stuff, post hardcore, with screamed vocals and definitely veering towards the more Rock end of things, but still maintaining a good bit of melody and doing it really well. I was reminded a bit of Jets vs Sharks, a band from a while back who were amazing! I’ve also seen La Dispute and Touche’ Amore’ mentioned in comparison. Lyrics are really good, varying from the personal to bigger issues. Album cover artwork is very nice, a painting, of a person, maybe on fire?, but real nice colours which is carried on through out the lyric sheet etc. and the vinyl itself is a cool marbled burnt orange colour.
Engineer (si)
Death of Youth - http://suspectdevicehq.blogspot.com/p/reviews_29.html
I was aware of this band because the singer, Craig Cirinelli, was in a few bands previously that I liked and so was looking forward to this album. I would say these guys are very much working in the Alt-Folk arena but they also have a real big “Rock” vibe in many of their songs. As the album title suggests the 2 album sides differ, side one being recorded when they were a 2 piece, but with a drummer helping out too, and the other side, side 2, recorded as a full 4 piece band. Much of the album is pretty sparse sounding generally, centred around just acoustic guitar and vocals, and that works really well for the style of songs, and the vocals are really strong. The album cover is a very cool image of the 2 main guys but made to look old. Vinyl is grey marble effect. Excellent stuff.
Engineer (si)
Hidden Cabins - http://suspectdevicehq.blogspot.com/p/reviews_29.html
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