This is a brand of post-hardcore emo that comes through with a tremendous amount of energy. Mixing together A Static Lullaby with a number of acts like Between The Buried and Me, “Goodnight†comes through with churning guitars and a number of catchy vocals. Everything is ultimately transferable to mass radio, but the band is still able to put a growling, heavy sound into many of their tracks.†While a number of the guitar lines present on this track sound similar to the rest of the riffs that have been broken big in the past, the arrangements are crafted with a special brand of caring that will keep individuals interested throughout.
By far, Clearview Kills really breaks any previously-held expectations when they come forth with “Make Upâ€, a track that ties the radio friendly style that was created in previous parts of the disc with a energy that never fails the band throughout the track. Again coming to a nexus of hardcore and emo music for the penultimate “Lost and Lonelyâ€, Clearview Kills show that they are not merely masters of their instruments but of the blank space between instrumental interludes. In “Lost and Lonelyâ€, there is a breakdown in which the singers provide the only harmony; in this moment, individuals are only able to focus in the vocals, to which they are transformed a short time later. The mixture of speed and introspective sections to the final track “The Stereo†really provides a nice closure to this EP, showing Clearview Kills as perhaps the best emo-influenced band out on the market there, sharing that distinction with both Brookside and The Spotlight.
Clearview Kills would not surprise me to be on TRL or sharing a stage with Boys Night Out or Fall Out Boy in the next year or so; it has been a few years since Pittsburgh had some band to be proud of (no one since Anti-Flag signed to the major) and Clearview Kills might just be that act to win over the minds and hearts of Burgh-ers. The seven song format is perfect for Clearview Kills; on “Wrap This Around Your Neck†the band is able to have enough time to create a general sound for themselves but do not have enough time to really fall into a rut. Pick up this EP before their mugs are plastered all over magazines around the United States and the world.
Top Track: The Stereo
Rating: 7.2/10
Clearview Kills – Wrap This Around Your Neck / 2006 Self / 7 Tracks / http://www.clearviewkills.com / clearviewkills@hotmail.com / Reviewed 07 March 2006
[JMcQ]
