Making You Want To Judo Kick Your Grandma...
The NewReview | USA | 09/30/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Evergreen Terrace is a wonderful little melodic hardcore outfit out of Jacksonville, FL. If you have been living under a rock for the last eight years and have not yet heard their music, I feel for you. But do not fret because you are sure to remember the name after hearing their much anticipated new release Almost Home out this month. Their second studio album under Metal Blade Records is Evergreen Terrace at their finest; a fast, up beat, in your face album that is sure to please long time listeners and pick up some new fans along the way.
Like an angry grizzly bear slapping you in the face, this album is a "go" from song one. They waste no time getting down and dirty. "Enemy Sex" is their opener, and I must say, it really sets the bar. The tribal drum kicks and screaming guitar riff will make you want to drive your Prius into a church with your middle finger up. The guitar solo in the title track "Almost Home" will make the hair on your sister's chin tingle with delight. The album keeps up the pace and stays on track with great breakdowns and solos throughout. The vocals are strong, the choruses are big and Andrew's golden pipes and gritty war cry will drive mercilessly through your eardrums and strait into your veins -- especially in "Sending Signals," which quickly became one of my favorites. There are a few ballads thrown in for class, but they're not too bad. Not enough to sour my opinion about the record, for sure.
The best work comes near the close of this record. The breakdown towards the end of "The Letdown" is brutally brilliant, and the opening riff and verses in "I'm A Bulletproof Tiger" will make you want to judo kick your grandma in the throat while chanting "Can't Breathe, Can't Breathe, Cant Breathe at all." The final song, "Not Good Enough," is a fun little tune to close on. It has a little more melody and singing than the others, but the chorus is catchy and the breakdowns are still pretty good.
Overall, this was an extremely fun record that I really enjoyed so I have to give it two thumbs up. From beginning to end it kept me involved and it kept my head moving. The slower songs might not catch everyone's ear; but, like I said, there aren't enough to make a difference, and without the slow ballads you might come out of this record with whiplash. Being an avid fan of melodic hardcore music, I loved this CD and if you are as well then you have to check out Almost Home. If you're just looking for a few good MP3's for your iPod, "Mario Speedwagon," "Sending Signals" and "The Letdown" are good choices. Either way, do not pass over this record. If you've never listened to Evergreen Terrace before, now is a good time to start.
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