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Latin For Truth

Diatribe Or Die!

Written by: DR on 13/12/2010 15:18:35

Revisiting this band, I feel as though I completely missed the mark and the point of what they were trying to acheive with their previous release. Considering the car crash that was my review of "We Are Sick of Not Having The Courage To Be Absolute Nobodies" (it's so bad I'm not even going to link you to it), it was to my surprise that their digital EP "Diatribe Or Die!" was submitted without a note of "fuck you, DR".

But, then I listen to them and my surprise is lessened somewhat, as it becomes instantly clear they are all about staying positive and not letting the little things drag you down. Immediately advocating this is the voicemail opening "stay positive, alright?", to opener "Mexicaine De Perforation". Latin For Truth like to toe the line between pop punk (with extra punk) and the fusion of pop + hardcore throughout all six tracks, with that song being arguably the closest to "hardcore" as they get; everything gets played fast: there's a build up after the voicemail message, technical leads burst in, then vocalist Michael Hughes launches in with his gruff-shouting style. The song is slowed after for the clean vocals to become more prominent, and there's even a smattering of gang-shouts.

Everything is in the right place for popcore fans. However, I do think the clean vocals of Michael Hughes need some work, particularly as he favours them over his shouting-style for the most part, they don't sound sincerely passionate or energetic often enough. When they do it helps lead to a really good song, which is where "88 Says" comes in. The dual-vocal approach, with guitarist Tom Lovejoy's offering something more pop-sounding, balance well with Hughes'. The song really peaks in the final 40 seconds or so, as they overlap for a climatic finale of "half the ship stays underwater / we'll be that half that doesn't need to breathe / you can flaunt the flag while we save the ship / that's alright by me". (Does anyone else hear a Secret Lives! Of The Freemasons vibe?)

"88 Says" is the stand out track; it's the most catchy, the only song to really exploit the chemistry of the two vocalists who really seem to bring the best out of each other, and it sounds by far the most optimistic. Latin For Truth seem intent on staying positive, and if they can continue to write songs as good as that then they might have the rest of us staying positive along with them too.

Download: 88 Says, No Love Lawst
For The Fans of: Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, With The Punches
Listen: Myspace

Release Date 03.08.2010
Mightier Than Sword