There's a Story to This Moral

Album Review

Capturing the moment with a very solid opening song in "Far From True," this quartet walks the thin tightrope between nu-metal, '80s heavy metal, and emo rock smartly, making each tune twist and turn to suit their needs. A solid rhythm section is the key, as the influences range from punk revival groups such as blink-182 to even the art rock riffs of Rush, both of which can be heard in "Record Stop." Another interesting asset is how the vocals and melody don't necessarily go hand in hand with each other as one tends to lag slightly behind the other for a more dramatic effort, as in "Every Word." Rarely softening their stance with basic formulas, the band doesn't need incessant wailing, preferring to let the songs speak for themselves. Adrenalin shots of hard rock like "Forget to Learn" are followed by a more melodic and winding approach in "Fallout Leader," with the latter song evoking At the Drive-In. Despite the positives, not all songs live up to a good billing, as "Fourteen Days" sounds more like a B-side or throwaway cut, lacking the urgency so prevalent throughout.