Screamo fights back
Mark Trombino does have something of a Midas touch when it comes to producing albums. Working with the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Blink 182 and The Living End, he has an expert hand in creating some of the most impressive albums of recent years. Having him on board producing any album seems to ensure a certain amount of kudos and quality and 'Arrivals and Departures' is no exception to the rule.
Canada's Silverstein seem to be one of the last bastions of Screamo. As labels worldwide are taking a decidedly metal direction, 'Arrivals and Departures' is the sound of a band that is holding on to their ostensibly solitary outpost with all their might. This is the sound of a band who know they have to prove themselves and are going all out to do it: This is fight music. Immediately launching the listener into the fray with a rat-at-tat-tat assault on the hearing with "Sound of the Sun", the battle has well and truly begun.
"Worlds Apart" is the impassioned Screamo we are all familiar with; driving, expansive sounding music suddenly veering into heavier territory with vocals to match the music and the mood. "I'll follow through again this time; I'll swallow swords, spit out my pride" is a call to arms; it's ok to be both heavy and melodic: heartfelt and intense.
"Vanity and Greed" is a powerhouse, shaking with palpable heaviness. Vocalist Shane Told's voice turns from sugared to raging with aggression within seconds. "Don't say goodnight, say goodbye" he sings sweetly before he takes off on full on attack mode. This is the band in full on fight mode with weapons of choice; two guitars, a bass, drums and some visceral vocals: The effect devastating.
Closing with "True Romance" with its impassioned refrain of "I may not always be perfect, but I'll always try", it drips bloody with heart. Although musically, the closer is like shifting from fifth gear to first and comparisons can be made to label mates The Junior Varsity, the downbeat makes for a perfect denouement, to an impressive album.
If 'Arrivals and Departures' were released four years ago, it would be heralded as a bit of Screamo classic. But now we are seeing a move away from sing/scream/sing formation into more metal led areas, this probably isn't going to fare greatly in the current musical climate. But, although the bottom may have fallen out of screamo, this is still a strong album charged with energy and scattered with singalong choruses.