Build Us Airplanes

At The End Of The Day

Written by: PP on 12/04/2012 15:57:35

Genuineness and honesty. Two qualities which have been increasingly missing from new releases by modern bands, where back in the 90s and even early 2000s it was more like the opposite: finding pretentious bands with poseur personalities was rare because image mattered very little as opposed to having quality tunes and great melodies. But ever since fads and huge marketing campaigns started taking over the industry, we've started to run into more and more bands that perhaps mean good, but deliver derivative albums and/or a sound that's just fake and contains no personal connection or emotion whatsoever.

Enter the California-based quartet Build Us Airplanes, who are looking to change that with the release of their latest album "At The End Of The Day". It's a nostalgic reminder of the 90s era in music, not just because it sounds a lot like Cursive and "The New What's Next"-era Hot Water Music (which was released in 2004, mind you) alongside references to Fugazi and Bear Vs Shark - often simultaneously - but because it's a reminder of the passionate honesty and pure genuineness that used to be the center point in music back in the day. I realize this sounds like some old and jaded music critic longing for 'the better days', but Build Us Airplanes do everything right in convincing the listener that songs like "Everything Out Of Me" or "Stand Alone" come straight from the heart.

They largely achieve this through softened, indie-flavored melodies with accompanying calm and soothing vocals, but aren't afraid to explode into near-screams, to make their songs loud at unpredictable moments, and to unleash a wave of emotion whether through screaming or a hummable punk rock chorus. It's this combination of two vastly different styles in such a seamless and effortless manner what makes Build Us Airplanes an excellent band. They've found the perfect middle ground from both styles, and perhaps more importantly, have written songs that aren't just like the hot chick that passes by you on a late afternoon stroll in the park that you forget about by the time you've returned home. Instead, "At The End Of The Day" is built from songs that are growers, from melodies that require a fair share of listens before they glue themselves onto the listener. When they do, however, they make a lasting impression and elevate themselves above many of their contemporaries.

8

Download: Folding Up, The Road Home, Stand Alone, Everything Out Of Me
For the fans of: Cursive, Bear Vs Shark, Hot Water Music, Fugazi, Attack In Black
Listen: Bandcamp

Release date 31.10.2011
Sell The Heart

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