Alesana - On Frail Wings Of Vanity And Wax

22.08.2007 | Cam | 5 Comments

Genre: Screamo/Emo/Post Hardcore
For Fans Of: Ambrosia - Alchemy Sounded Good At The Time - This Conversation Is Over
Favourite Songs: Of: Chiodos - From First To Last - Fear Before The March Of Flames
Running Time: 55:57
Year: 2007
Website Link: http://www.fearlessrecords.com
Myspace Link: http://www.myspace.com/alesana

Score: 65

Just choose a fucking genre already...

REVIEW.

Considering how over saturated the whole “insert cliché here” genre is in 2007, it’s refreshing to hear a band at least try and do something a little different. Although some parts of this record can be a bit hit and miss and others can be downright fucking awful, there are parts of “On Frail Wings Of Vanity And Wax” that are pretty cool and deserve another listen. 

Imagine if you would, the shrieked screams of “The Blood Brothers”, the helium affected vocals of “Chiodos”, some pseudo metal riffing, a bit of pop punk and some really shitty mosh parts and death growls and you get “Alesana”.  

Apparently these guys are making waves in the states and I think I’ve worked out how they’re doing it. By splicing together emo, screamo, metal, punk and pop they’ve successfully catered to almost every demographic of the current Warped Tour crowd.  

But what does this mean in terms of songwriting? Well, it means “Alesana” are a talented bunch of guys who can definitely play their respective instruments but the 13 songs contained within “On Frail Wings…” are lacking in consistency. While you might be into the melody and chorus hooks of a track like a “Ambrosia”, there’s a good chance that you’ll be turned off by the poor attempts at guttural vocals on “Pathetic Ordinary”.  

At certain stages in the record, “Alesana’s” vocalist (and I’m not sure which one because there’s 3 people listed with vocals credits in the booklet) reminds me of Claudio Sanchez from prog – rock geeks “Coheed And Cambria”, and it’s these epic, almost dreamy passages that are the most enjoyable parts of the album. While I can appreciate that a large part of the band’s arsenal is its ability to scream the tits off a boar, the heavier vocals take away from the feel of the more progressive parts of the record. When you couple this with some of the lamest breakdowns I’ve heard this year, you can only describe “Alesana’s” attempts at getting the pit moving as laughable.  

CONCLUSION.

“Alesana” are sure to attract their fare share of critics, but at least they’re trying to put their own spin on a genre which is rapidly losing all credibility. While this record may not appeal to everyone, they get an “A” for effort. If the band focused more on the melodic aspect of their song writing, rather than the weak sounding breakdowns, their next record could be something special. 

TRACKLISTING.

1. Icarus
2. Ambrosia
3. Pathetic, Ordinary
4. Alchemy Sounded Good at the Time
5. Daggers Speak Louder Than Words
6. Last Three Letters
7. Apology
8. Tiltin