Seemless - What Have We Become
- Released: 2006
- Label: Equal Vision
- Rating:
First off, I am very happy to report that there is no sophomore jinx associated with this, the second album from Boston area rockers Seemless. The history of the individual band members has been documented ad nauseum elsewhere, so there is no need to get into that. Suffice it to say that yes, the Only Living Witness vibe is still inherent throughout, with the aforementioned band probably being the most notable influence. I don’t think this in a hindrance since that band was short lived from a recording standpoint (with just a pair of releases) and these guys carry that legacy forward loud and proud without completely aping them. That said, I will delve into the album itself.
The first track “In My Blood” begins with a well of percussion courtesy of drummer Derek Kerwill before it collapes into a nice kick to the head, rock & roll style courtesy of the rest of the band. The song is an urgent, blood pumping rocker that sets the tone for the duration of the recording. Next up is “Cast No Shadow”, a track which meanders between airy verses and another all-out rocker with an infectious groove to boot.
Speaking of groove, the third song, “Numb” carries an excellent slow groove with some fine screams from vocalist Jesse Leach and guitar interplay from Pete Cortese and features a catchy, sing-along chorus from Leach. By this point in the album it is obvious that the album has an organic feel to it. The band sounds like they are coming right out of your speakers and performing right in front of you in live, in concert style.
When the band isn’t rocking, they are taking liberties in offering up trippy soundscapes like “The Deep Below”, a hypnotic affair that does weave in and out of headbanging sensibilities. After that, the second portion of the album features a collection of mostly mid-tempo rockers, including a proper studio version of “Maintain”, a song that was added as a bonus track to the bands’ self-titled debut album when it was re-released by their present label, Equal Vision.
The centerpiece of the album actually comes at the end of the proceedings, the 9 minute plus finale ”...Things Fall Apart”. I know the band is very proud of this moving track and it shows that the band is not willing to be complacent, painting with a broad brush on their audio landscape. In all, this 10 track affair is a superb effort from a band that is now getting an opportunity to tour the country and be seen by the masses. With this album, Seemless are on the verge of being the “next big thing” out of not only New England, but for rock music in general. A band worth keeping your eye on…
Metal Mark | 09/11/2006