Courtesy Drop

Songs To Drive To; Cry, And Make Love To

Written by: PP on 05/02/2014 20:37:51

Courtesy Drop are an indie-flavored emo/post-hardcore band out of music city (Nashville), whose sophomore album "Songs To Drive To; Cry, And Make Love To" is one of those releases that takes forever to grow on you. It's great title already suggests that this is no ordinary album, and indeed the moment you listen to the record for the first time you can sense a level of depth to be uncovered that requires plenty of patience, time, and space between listening sessions before it clicks on you. I've now been listening to the record on/off for a couple of months now, and I'm only now beginning to grasp the strength and longevity found in their introverted songs. The carefully constructed build ups are lengthy and challenging, but also rewarding if you're willing to put the listening time in that this type of record requires.

The record contains many similarities to Have Mercy's 2013 masterpiece "The Earth Pushed Back", most of all on in terms of its soundscape: the music is essentially post-hardcore interpreted through an indie rock filter. This means contemplative moods and slow build ups that explode into emotionally charged loud moments where the vocals almost break into a scream, but exercise just enough restraint to stay within this side of the fence. All of this gives the record progressive tendencies that engulf the record in deeply contemplative and self-reflective mood, though there are exceptions like "Stranger Than Fiction", which has a fast punk-styled melody and recalls Make Do And Mend rather than Balance & Composure or Basement, whose stylistic ideals the other songs tend to be exploring.

Still, it is in the quieter, slower, and more indie-flavored tracks like "Mineral Extracts" where the band truly shines. Here, the song eventually builds up into explosive vocals from initially quiet and simple instrumentation, much like Have Mercy do in their best songs. Yet the abrasive guitar opening of "Goodbye, Fairlane Drive" coupled with its nearly screamed vocals halfway through and great, emotional lyricism works well, too. "Appleseeds From Ash Night" is another highlight, here again slowing things down to more restrained instrumentation, drawing from indie rock more than post-hardcore. Later on, the pace picks up and we're in post-hardcore territory once again.

Either way, expect an album that requires a ton of listening before it clicks. It's a grower album that's great for any Have Mercy fan looking to hear something similar out there, even if it is not as accessible in comparison.

7

Download: Goodbye, Fairlane Drive; Appleseeds From Ash Night; Mineral Extracts
For the fans of: Balance & Composure, Turnover, Have Mercy, Basement
Listen: Facebook

Release date 15.10.2013
Animal Style Records

Related Items | How we score?
Comments
comments powered by Disqus

Legal

© Copyright MMXXIV Rockfreaks.net.