Labels: Gringo
Review by: Andy Malcolm
More self-indulgent, yet intriguing, noodling from a Gringo band. This is the latest release from that label, and it carries on their tradition of putting out worthwhile bands.
Empire Builder deal in moody, mainly instrumental, precise post-hardcore, probably inspired by all those American bands that I am not cool enough to listen to. And, unfortunately, the insert doesn’t help me out as to what these influences are calked. First song, “Waters of the Orient” is mainly off-beat and slow, breaking into occasional bursts of noise every now and again. What vocals you do get are quiet and understated talking. Following that is “Trade In Fiction” which is more of the same, which vaguely sounds like the Van Pelt but not much. Finally we have the extravagantly entitled “I Am Vasco Da Gama”. Oh yeah? Anyway, this carries on the style of the other stuff, meandering, long, no singing. Personally, I think they need to break into bursts of screaming or crying when they do the more hardcore parts, get more emo. Heh.
Not the best thing Gringo have unleashed, but worth a listen if you need your quirk quota for the month to be filled up. Solid, but I don’t think I could abide a full albums worth of the stuff.