Break Even - The Bright Side
Break Even are a melodic hardcore band from Perth W.A. The Bright Side, is their debut full length, following a well received (in Australia at least) "Young at Heart" EP in 2006 and the Something More split 7” of 2007. It is had to review The Bright Side without firstly acknowledging the loss of Break Even's guitarist Rowan Willoughy late last year. Loss and grief resonate throughout the lyrics, in the guitar harmonies and in their slower, more methodical approach to song writing. Haunted by this grief, an album titled The Bright Side is thus somewhat of an oxymoron. However, the band expresses the idea more coherently saying:
The Bright Side is a story of birth and death and everything in between... it is an honest and passionate statement that was written to remember, to inspire and to never forget. In a scene flooded with bands that choose to focus on anger and apathy, Break Even separate themselves from the pack by encouraging the listener to find the bright side in everything, whether it be in life, in dreams, or in loss.
Unsurprisingly, the songwriting is more purposeful than on their previous releases, with effective instrumentation being the albums main strength. The Bright Side is filled with builds which are more post-rock influenced than hardcore, slower more atmospheric breaks and frequent use of layered minor and augmented harmonies from the guitars. The songs in this way throb / pulse rather than stun and are infused with grief. From a listening perspective however, sometimes the guitar riffs become overused and become repetitive.
Opening with Sunrise "shine bright, baby shine bright" and moving from Sunset to November 18th - The Bright Side could almost work as a concept album. Resentment reminds me of a Verse song - while Run For your Life of Have Heart slowed down. In this respect, the band works best when the vocalist hits clever and powerful melodies over the top big guitars. October 27 is the best example of this, with layered vocals and guitars adding to the general epicness of the track. The album, washed with reverb, (well, more so than most hardcore) has also used subtle and clever echo on the main vocals which further add to the lyrical and thematic content.
Smashing Lights is one of the better tracks, a story of a young mans anger and hopelessness. The resonating message of “Never give up, never let go” is more authentic than most hardcore bands manage to achieve with the cliche. At times in the album the vocal approach remind me of Betrayed, while lyrically the theme of hope is expressed through loss rather than from naivety. The Truth reminds me of Miles Aways Sailors Grave in terms of feeling disconnected in your home town.
The piano musical interlude, The Bright Side - sounds like an adaptation of a Yann Tiersen composition and despite being one of the better examples of wussy musical interludes, adds nothing really of value to the album, but feels just like filler. Which is a shame, as it also cheapens the acoustic guitar interlude of Sunset - a transition into November 18th - the final song, and the bands powerful tribute to Rowan Willoughy.
Its a pretty moving and powerful album, but it doesn't grab me as one for the history books. However, there can be no complaints about the 'sound' of the album, it is solid, loud, and expertly recorded. With The Bright Side Break Even have taken taken up the torch that Verse and Have Heart carried, in terms of powerful, sincere melodic hardcore.
For fans of Grade, Bane, Soul Control, Hope Conspiracy, The Bleeders, Have Heart, Verse, Modern Life is War and Los Muertos
3.5 / 5
check them out here
Break Even are a melodic hardcore band from Perth W.A. The Bright Side, is their debut full length, following a well received (in Australia at least) "Young at Heart" EP in 2006 and the Something More split 7” of 2007. It is had to review The Bright Side without firstly acknowledging the loss of Break Even's guitarist Rowan Willoughy late last year. Loss and grief resonate throughout the lyrics, in the guitar harmonies and in their slower, more methodical approach to song writing. Haunted by this grief, an album titled The Bright Side is thus somewhat of an oxymoron. However, the band expresses the idea more coherently saying:
The Bright Side is a story of birth and death and everything in between... it is an honest and passionate statement that was written to remember, to inspire and to never forget. In a scene flooded with bands that choose to focus on anger and apathy, Break Even separate themselves from the pack by encouraging the listener to find the bright side in everything, whether it be in life, in dreams, or in loss.
Unsurprisingly, the songwriting is more purposeful than on their previous releases, with effective instrumentation being the albums main strength. The Bright Side is filled with builds which are more post-rock influenced than hardcore, slower more atmospheric breaks and frequent use of layered minor and augmented harmonies from the guitars. The songs in this way throb / pulse rather than stun and are infused with grief. From a listening perspective however, sometimes the guitar riffs become overused and become repetitive.
Opening with Sunrise "shine bright, baby shine bright" and moving from Sunset to November 18th - The Bright Side could almost work as a concept album. Resentment reminds me of a Verse song - while Run For your Life of Have Heart slowed down. In this respect, the band works best when the vocalist hits clever and powerful melodies over the top big guitars. October 27 is the best example of this, with layered vocals and guitars adding to the general epicness of the track. The album, washed with reverb, (well, more so than most hardcore) has also used subtle and clever echo on the main vocals which further add to the lyrical and thematic content.
Smashing Lights is one of the better tracks, a story of a young mans anger and hopelessness. The resonating message of “Never give up, never let go” is more authentic than most hardcore bands manage to achieve with the cliche. At times in the album the vocal approach remind me of Betrayed, while lyrically the theme of hope is expressed through loss rather than from naivety. The Truth reminds me of Miles Aways Sailors Grave in terms of feeling disconnected in your home town.
The piano musical interlude, The Bright Side - sounds like an adaptation of a Yann Tiersen composition and despite being one of the better examples of wussy musical interludes, adds nothing really of value to the album, but feels just like filler. Which is a shame, as it also cheapens the acoustic guitar interlude of Sunset - a transition into November 18th - the final song, and the bands powerful tribute to Rowan Willoughy.
Its a pretty moving and powerful album, but it doesn't grab me as one for the history books. However, there can be no complaints about the 'sound' of the album, it is solid, loud, and expertly recorded. With The Bright Side Break Even have taken taken up the torch that Verse and Have Heart carried, in terms of powerful, sincere melodic hardcore.
For fans of Grade, Bane, Soul Control, Hope Conspiracy, The Bleeders, Have Heart, Verse, Modern Life is War and Los Muertos
3.5 / 5
check them out here