It seems these guys were emo way back when it wasn’t a swear word to say such things. I don’t get that, it’s only used to categorise a few bands. No-ones claiming that emo bands are more emotional than, say, Wilco, or, uh, Michael Jackson. It’s like using the word indie. That doesn’t necessarily mean ‘independent’ like it’s supposed to does it? And not nearly as many people whine on and on and on and on about that. No, anyway, Still Life have put out a tonne of records, and based on this one I might have to get a couple of others. Ah, actually I’ve just remembered that they can’t be emo. All real emo bands have to split up after a couple of 7″ or an album. It’s the rule.
The best song on here is the first one, “Fool”, which I had heard on MP3 and it enticed me to check this lot out. It’s an outstanding mixture of mellow bliss, and screamo power coupled with immense hardcore. And the rest of the songs on this CD generally fall into either of these categories too. Tracks like “Worked” which kicks off super pretty, alternately heading into a chaotic whirl of screaming and soaring hardcore, then snapping back into whispered vocals and lulling guitars. Wowee. I must say that Still Life are masters of the acoustic track, and there’s also a song on here with called “Dopamine” that features a church organ and that’s rather neat. And if you get the opportunity, check out their haunting “Someone Stole My Bike” available on No Idea’s “Bread The Edible Napkin” comp.
It took a while for this record to grow on me, some of the songs like “A Sunset Walk To The Cliff” and “Old English Eight-Hundred” still sound a little disjointed, despite being pretty damn awesome. I think it’s that the sung vocals have a tendency to sound a little flat against the rumbling hardcore noise at times. Additionally this record sounds much better to me on headphones, as my speakers seem to fuck up the sound a bit on some songs, emphasising parts that sound like they shouldn’t be so high in the mix. Strange.
I can’t think of any decent comparisons for this band, they sound pretty unique to me. I guess they have some of the elements of the popular emo bands, except Still Life have a bunch more original ideas and don’t rip anyone off. Clairmel sound a bit like one of the songs on here, it’s the strained vocals that do it.
So, uh, I guess you might like to check these guys out.