Livalie release 'A Perfect Compromise'
Sara Allison
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Entertainment
While still reminiscent of alternative rock bands like Incubus and Sevendust, there is something exclusively unique about the music on this album. Maybe it is the piercing vocal harmonies, or perhaps their masterful blending of mellow yet elaborate piano progressions with fierce guitar riffage. Or, it may be the incredibly precise drumming paired with dynamic bass lines. Whatever it is, it is working.
The album bursts from the gates at breakneck speed, with the emotionally charged first song, "Brace for Impact." Lead singer Drew Cyphers' powerfully clear, almost pop-like vocals both contrast with and complement the heavy instrumentation.
The opening track leads seamlessly into "Makeshift," which showcases intricate keyboard/synth sequences and then "Enemy," which is arguably the most solid song on the album that includes an impressive blend of vocals and instrumental music that is uncanny for such a young band.
"Carry On" is the earliest written track included on the CD, written in 2002, during the band's early high school years. Its ballad-like quality adds to the dynamic nature of the album, and is somewhat unexpected amongst the aggressive characteristics of the other songs.
Next is "The Plunge," a song that was very important in Livalie's musical shift.
"We felt ["The Plunge"] was really the first song that really defined the sound we were looking for," Gerasia said. Almost eerie melodies weaved throughout intense chord progressions prompt comparisons to bands like Evanescence and Breaking Benjamin.
The next track, "Chasing the Color of Truth" has a similar feel to that of "The Plunge." But, Livalie brought in good friend and fellow musician Brian Doring to play cello, setting it apart from any other track on the album.
Ending with an acoustic version of "Makeshift," Livalie demonstrates their raw musicianship. While volume and intensity are trademark Livalie qualities, this song shows another facet of their musical ability. This version of the song urges the listener to pay more attention to its stirring, motivational lyrics, and the style has a more appropriate feel for the message than the original.
The album bursts from the gates at breakneck speed, with the emotionally charged first song, "Brace for Impact." Lead singer Drew Cyphers' powerfully clear, almost pop-like vocals both contrast with and complement the heavy instrumentation.
The opening track leads seamlessly into "Makeshift," which showcases intricate keyboard/synth sequences and then "Enemy," which is arguably the most solid song on the album that includes an impressive blend of vocals and instrumental music that is uncanny for such a young band.
"Carry On" is the earliest written track included on the CD, written in 2002, during the band's early high school years. Its ballad-like quality adds to the dynamic nature of the album, and is somewhat unexpected amongst the aggressive characteristics of the other songs.
Next is "The Plunge," a song that was very important in Livalie's musical shift.
"We felt ["The Plunge"] was really the first song that really defined the sound we were looking for," Gerasia said. Almost eerie melodies weaved throughout intense chord progressions prompt comparisons to bands like Evanescence and Breaking Benjamin.
The next track, "Chasing the Color of Truth" has a similar feel to that of "The Plunge." But, Livalie brought in good friend and fellow musician Brian Doring to play cello, setting it apart from any other track on the album.
Ending with an acoustic version of "Makeshift," Livalie demonstrates their raw musicianship. While volume and intensity are trademark Livalie qualities, this song shows another facet of their musical ability. This version of the song urges the listener to pay more attention to its stirring, motivational lyrics, and the style has a more appropriate feel for the message than the original.
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jasonglades
Law Thesis
posted 2/18/09 @ 11:16 AM EST
"Just about every Livalie song has an alternate funny chorus that most people don't know about," nice words of Paul Wright.
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