Search - Halifax :: Writer's Reference

Well-done emo-tinged punk

cosmokane31 | San Francisco, CA United States | 05/09/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

""A Writer's Reference" is a well-done EP of emo-tinged pop punk. This is basic three-chord minor-key stuff, with some nice arrangements and harmonies. Imagine the sing-along choruses that metalcore bands often have today, minus the metal; the title track, in particular, goes into a gnarly breakdown that would fit well on an Atreyu or Killswitch Engage record. The production is clear yet rough enough around the edges to avoid falling into Jimmy Eat World-type gloss."

Dtr does it again

Keaton | fl | 03/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"how does dtr always find great bands? right around the time that hidden in plain view (a band you should check out if you liked halifax) releases their first full-length, they get another great band to become the newcomer.



1. sydney - 10/10 - the first single from halifax. catchy, and just good all around. not much i can say about it, its just very very good



2. a writers referecne - 12/10 - my favorite on the ep. extremely catchy, great chorus. love the guitar. its just awesome



3. i hate your eyes - 10/10 - I LOVE THIS TITLE lol is that not the best song title? (well other than fall out boys "reinventing the wheel to run myself over... lmao). the song is awesome too. another catchy chorus



4. broken glass syndrome - 11/10 - second best song on the ep. another very catchy song, their just a catchy band arent they? simply incredible



5. the next two weeks - 9/10 - weak verses (except i liked the second verse...) and doesnt have the edge of the other songs. why an 9 then? the best chorus on the ep.



6. scarlet letter pt 2- 9/10 - after the last song, which was a changeup, you could kinda feel a slow song coming, and its about time. you have to throw some slow songs in. this one wasnt thrown in: it deserves to be there.



7. sydney (acoustic)- 10/10- at the beginning, it kind of has a mexican music sound to it. that might just be me though. i love acoustic songs, however, and even though this is a little too fast for acoustic, its still great



great ep. i cant wait for halifax to release a full-length. some how i think this band is gunna get alot of critism for lack of origionality though. that seems to happen to every dtr band. either way... ITS GOOD. WELL WORTH IT. GET IT. also i recomend "life in dreaming" by hidden in plain view"

Pretty damn good. :o)

twocents | Connecticut | 12/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You know, I'm not the biggest emo fan on the block, but I am pretty impressed with the musicality and vocals in Halifax. I actually have to admit that I saw Halifax on Real World: Austin (yeah I know, LAMMMEEEE!) and I also heard about them on various other websites and through word of mouth; I was interested in knowing exactly why they're so popular. Upon getting this CD (well, borrowing this CD, really), I took a chance to really sit down and listen, and I have to say that it's pretty damn good. Of course the best songs are the first two tracks, "Sydney" and "A Writer's Reference" because of their intense feel. Most of "Sydney" gets stuck in your head after the first minute, and you find yourself singing along. But "Scarlet Letter, Part II" was also really good despite its more mellow feel. Of course emo music has its ups and downs when it comes to lyricality because most of the music deals with loves lost and despair felt, but Halifax has put together a reasonable number of songs for a reasonable amount of money for those cold, rainy days when you're sitting around your house pretending like no one cares. So go and get it, 'cause you know we teenagers have those days like...ALL the time. :o)"