Album Review: Pianos Become The Teeth - The Lack Long After

Pianos Become The Teeth’s outstanding debut release ‘Old Pride’ shone out as one of the best releases of 2010, it’s rawness dripping with emotion and utterly compelling. Yet it didn’t quite see the band gain the recognition they so greatly deserve, nevertheless ‘The Lack Long After’ will no doubt cement their place at the forefront of the New Wave Hardcore movement. Bringing along with it further emphasis on the elements that make this Baltimore five piece so explosive, yet hauntingly melodic.

From the moment ‘I’ll Be Damned’ takes hold, you're driven straight back into the atmospheric onslaught that played out within ‘Old Pride’, there’s no sign of a band that have slowed, PBTT are a relentless driving force which sees ‘The Lack Long After’ perfect what ‘Old Pride’ instigated. The musicianship is almost brittle and chaotically apocalyptic at times, but never at fret of going astray as the band stay firmly in control. ‘Such Confidence’ holds the steady, slow melodic build that PBTT seem to master so effortlessly, this is a screamo band that deliver some of their most memorable moments during the most delicate forays, which only adds to the destructiveness of the outbursts. While always feeling like a natural progression for the band through each contorted verse delivered by Kyle Durfey’s unrelenting and tortured vocal.

‘Liquid Courage’ is a post-rock gem, displaying the bands progression and intent to push themselves musically while displaying effortless precision in their craft. While ‘Spine’ bursts straight back into a thrashy approach, just about held together by the solid, yet frenzied percussion. Undoubtedly ‘I’ll Get By’ shines out, encompassing all the components that will yet again see PBTT hold their place within the endless 'Best Of 2011' lists. The band manage to convey sincere emotion through their instruments alone, matched in the same fashion by the screams of a man who genuinely feels on the edge of falling to pieces, and it’s this sincere and dramatic delivery that gives the band the power to take you along with them. Feeling every last morsel of grief, pain and anguish, and coming back time and time again for each and every scorching riff.

4.5/5

'The Lack Long After' is out now through Topshelf Records.

Connor O'Brien