Secondsmile – Years
Posted by AlMachine on Monday, June 23, 2008


One thing these guys have going for them is they seem to be the masters of... Inconsistency. After strapping myself in and listening to the epic progressive post-hardcore brilliance showcased on the first track, I was eagerly looking forward to turning up my speakers and listening to the rest of the tracks whilst strumming my ever present air guitar. Things seemed to take a nose dive though, as the second track is best not talked about. The first track, `Smokestacks` shows off all their best qualities – layers upon layers of guitars, perfectly timed progressive percussion, and a voice that, whilst slightly strained, gets the words across with great emotion and sincerity. Riffs trail off into mini solos, the whole thing threatens to abandon you several occasions before coming crashing back with renewed vigour and bite every time, and it just suits their style and capabilities completely.

Moving on to the second track, we have a similar progressive introduction, but this time, seemingly in an effort to `go one better` than the previous track, more layers are added, crowding the track a little, and the vocals push the singer into territories he simply isn't capable of venturing through. His voice strains past the point of being sincere and moves into being uncomfortable. The riff feels more indie and mainstream, and you just get the feeling that they are should be leaving this genre to the hordes of other bands clogging it up at the moment.

Track three suffers the same fate, painful wailed vocals slapped on to a repetitive riff. Luckily number four, title track `Years` comes in to save the day. Just as you were about to throw the CD at your least favourite neighbour, we have the slow and patient build up of crash cymbals with some tasty delayed guitars for accompaniment starting off the track the proper way. Our lead singer has decided to go back to more sensible vocals, and the track benefits greatly from this. Nothing feels rushed, the song wanders along at its own pace, vocals only coming in when they are needed, leaving you to admire the uncountable layers underneath the oral ingredient in this musical pie.

Number five, `Good Night Sleep Tight` slows the pace further, and brings in some strings for feeling. This track is pulled off very well, and indeed could probably send a little one off to the land of nod. Track six, `Stars Away`, brings in even more instruments, borrowing the clarinet from Coronation Street to add even more to the vast soundscape. 

From here the album winds down with several very good tracks, including the largely instrumental tenth track `The Flaming Heart`, and finishing with number twelve, `To The Sea` which is fingered rather than strummed for the most part, and the tranquil atmosphere will leave you feeling relaxed, without even a hint of seasickness... Brilliant.

9/10

Joe


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