Hell is for Heroes - Hell is for Heroes (Hell Is For Heroes - Hell Is For Heroes)

Member Name: carlmcq

Product:	Hell Is For Heroes - Hell Is For Heroes
Date:	31/07/07 (278 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Finally reappearing with their 3rd album

Disadvantages: Just not quite as good as before

Two years in the making…Hell is for Heroes have finally released their third studio album, rather unoriginally self-titled, on Golf Records. For those that know them, and I can’t imagine that’s all that many too be honest, you’ll know them to be classified in the “emo/alternative/rock” genre (if such one exists), with two previous albums – “The Neon Handshake” and “Transmit Disrupt” that were highly thought of in the circles of rock music critics, especially their debut which saw them as a shining, promising light in the new music world. However, many would argue they’ve failed to scale the possible heights they could have attained. The reason? Well, there isn’t one, as this album proves…they may just be one of life’s unlucky bands……

Opening track “To Die For” fails to capture the listeners imagination compared with the opening tracks on their previous albums – “Five Kids Go” and “Kamichi”. Instead for nearly the first four minutes the music meanders along uninvitingly until eventually vocals kick in – echoed screams that help you recall their sound, but unfortunately you’ve yet to be enticed and convinced that the two and a half years its taken has been spent productively.

Thankfully though “Stranger in You” and “Arcades” get the musical ball rolling. The latter reacquaints those that know the band with the good old music…quite, clean, melodic verses, bursting into a crescendo of distorted guitars, snare drums and ‘loud’ singing that is in tune - not screaming as many of you may have got the impression of! The latter starts off in a way not too dissimilar to a few tracks on the debut album – almost a spoken word style in the verses before a rapidly contrast vocal style appears in the chorus. It’s not necessarily unique but does such the skills that Justin Schlosberg has in his repertoire.

As the album continues, tracks such as “Between Us” and “You’ve Got Hopes” confirm to us that yet again the lads have written an album with substance, rather than just a couple of stand-out tracks as you see so often with this genre…a couple of hits singles and then absolutely nothing, rather than consistent, enjoyable music. The latter I do believe was released as a single EP, although my belief is that it didn’t appear that highly in the charts, and from a personally point of view, it’s not the strongest song on the album.

What’s becoming clear though as you listen to it is that there’s a ‘darker’ tone to the music. Somewhat subdued in places could be the appropriate term with a mellower sound than before. Yes, their raw, punchy, catchy style is still there in songs such as “My Protector”, “Into the Blood” and “Stranger In You”, but the odd single fails to ignite itself in such a way that songs on previous albums did.

One track, oddly labelled “----” is merely just an instrumental wind-down from previous track “My Protector” and not much use to anyone unfortunately, so if you need to hit the ‘skip’ button, here would be an appropriate point!

Tracks like “Into the Blood” and “Only the Ridiculous Will Survive” are strong enough songs towards the back end of the album to keep you listening the whole way through. The latter with a jumpy, erratic guitar riff that keeps you gripped into an epic chorus. Similar to “You Drove Me To It” or “Folded Paper Figures” did in previous albums.

And finally, “Once and For All” rounds things up. A clean, calm piece of music…until it bursts into life towards the final third of the track. A method the band seem to love using a lot, but works so effectively, so I’m not knocking it!

No, it’s not quite as good as it’s two predecessors, but the standard of them was immaculate. There is the odd ‘weak link’ if you will, but don’t think I pushing this one aside into the pile listed ‘don’t listen back to”. On the contrary, this album still has a standard way and above a load of the rubbish, NME-hyped bands you get infesting airwaves and music channels nowadays.

It may be a case of just needing a few more listens to get used to it, but a number of classic albums require that. But please note, if you want to find a rock band that’s new to you today…try Hell is for Heroes, you may just like it.

Summary: If you're a fan...buy it. If you're not...buy it anyway!