The Leader

Issue date: 8/30/06 Section: Music

Screamo usually sucks. Underoath usually rocks. Both of those bold statements have proved to be true with the hardcore releases of 2006. The ability to find the perfect balance of metal and pop that has eluded thousands of failed "screamo" bands is captured by Underoath with their latest release, Define the Great Line. Their 2004 effort, They're Only Chasing Safety, proved too catchy and acceptable to the alternative masses, even though it may have been what they were striving for. Define the Great Line is stronger and more original musically, lyrically and "screamotionally."

The band is more honest with these songs. They are much heavier and maintain the all-pervading metal tendencies taken from their roots and influences that are always supported by the powerful, pressing drumming of genius, Aaron Gillespie. The pop rock of this album consists of Gillespie's drums hidden behind the non-stop guitar work of the band. Every individual in this group has improved exponentially over the last two years. The intricate details are what truly make this album. Every note, every harmonic, every word has purpose. With help from producers Matt Goldman (Copeland, Anathallo), Adam Dutkiewicz and the brilliant mixing of Chris Lord-Alge, Define the Great Line is one of the best sounding albums of 2006. A fault of many harder bands is over-the-top production. The engineering on this album is perfect, not too loud and not too excessive, but rather just enough to fill everything out. This band also has the most extensive vocal capabilities of any band around today and blends singing and screaming better than anyone on the planet.

The albums weaknesses are in its differentiation between tracks and its ability to keep the attention of an impatient listener on the go. That is, when skipping from song-to-song some of the tracks on the album can be easily confused with their similar sounds or brushed off because of ignoring parts from previous songs. Ergo Define the Great Line should be listened to straight through, preferably on a long car ride or some solid alone time. This is a true work of art that needs to be appreciated for what it is as a whole. With a lyrically strong album, it is obvious that the feelings of these men were purged into the making of it.

Many will hold strong to the idea that Underoath defined their own line with the production of their previous release but the newness and originality contained in this work is something grander. This album is great, but unfortunately not blatantly poppy enough to woo the girls with falsified age, blinded in one eye by their hair, which is a shame because this is music with depth and substance. This album is a wonder.

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