Hostage Calm

Hostage Calm: Please Remain CalmPlease Remain Calm (2012)
Run For Cover Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: RENALDO69RENALDO69
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Published on October 16th 2012If you liked Lens in 2008 and the self-titled LP in 2010, then it's safe to say expectations would be pretty high for this new Hostage Calm record. The guys have stuck true to their strengths and kept that melodic and pop-punk sound, as they've placed more and more emphasis on the ever-improving voc.

If you liked Lens in 2008 and the self-titled LP in 2010, then it's safe to say expectations would be pretty high for this new Hostage Calm record. The guys have stuck true to their strengths and kept that melodic and pop-punk sound, as they've placed more and more emphasis on the ever-improving vocals of Chris Martin. This record shows how well Martin knocks it out the park. He's highlighted strongly on the album and it's apparent that Hostage Calm have found their talisman in his voice and stuck to it quite nicely.

"On Both Eyes" rings that simple, melodic notion of pop-punk that the guys have effectively disbursed to their fan base, and it's good to note that there's much more of a pop feel to this record than on any of their other releases. There's little semblance of a hardcore element and it works just fine on Martin's clean, crisp and harmonious voice. "Don't Die On Me Now" follows in the same vein and there are a lot of songs here that are akin to Spitalfield, the Hurt Process and Madcap. It really sounds like one of those fun records which Victory Records put out around 2002 when Taking Back Sunday/Thursday ran their flagship.

In addition to Martin's clever voice, the drums here add an admirable texture to the melodic depth and dynamism of the album. "Brokenheartland" remains elegant in its own unique and exquisite take on what Martin perceives to be the decadence of the world which flows neatly into the alternative anthem "Woke Up Next To A Body." "The M-Word" utilizes an orchestra to propel its ballad-like tone, swarmed with heart and romance, but there's a subtle feel that songs such as "May Love Prevail" and "Closing Remarks" could have done with the safety off.

Don't get me wrong; they haven't saturated the melody on the record, and there's variety but something just felt missing. They make up for this shortfall with the enthralling anthem about liberty in "Impossible" and the intricate multi-vocal "Patriot." Please Remain Calm ends up being a record that's hard to nitpick. It isn't a perfect LP but it's a great testament as to what Hostage Calm's done in the past, and gives great insight into how they've charted their progression. I expect things to keep getting bigger for them.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

davebucks (December 30, 2012)

CT rock

owensanchez (December 30, 2012)

best album of the year by far

greghorbal (December 30, 2012)

The best

jennna (December 29, 2012)

Not really sure what's up with all the negative comments here. Please Remain Calm is my album of the year, by far. Fantastic record.

BackstageBroadcast (December 29, 2012)

"Please Remain Calm" is Kevin's (from Backstage Broadcast) album of the year: http://bit.ly/Tp5Ato

Punxxxxx (December 29, 2012)

AOTY. Liked S/T a lot but this is >>>>

nickdiesel (December 2, 2012)

this record kinda stinks, actually. its a bummer. their self titled is probably one of my favorite records of the last 5 years, and this is REALLY boring in comparison. oh well.

DarrenMcLeod (October 17, 2012)

I've given it about 5 listens, and while I do think it's really good, I don't think it's quite on par with their self-titled.

whatchokesbegin (October 16, 2012)

Just went back and listened to their last record, and my previous assessment holds up. It's way better than this. Still a big "nope" on this one. For the record, I found nothing spectacular about Lens, either. Maybe I don't actually like this band and just happened to catch them during a very interesting transition. If that's the case then, with this record, they've completed that transition and the end result is something outside of my range of enjoyment. Oh, well. It's a shame.

thepopeofchili-town (October 16, 2012)

This album is great, it's like they made a record full of all my favorite parts about the last one.

I didn't know the vocalist's name, that's pretty unfortunate.

whatchokesbegin (October 16, 2012)

Maybe I'm completely misremembering their last record, but I recall enjoying it very much, and I really must be missing something here. Their self-titled was their most creative and interesting, in my opinion. This album is getting rave reviews everywhere, but I'm not feeling it. The lyrics are cheesy and the music is boring. Too many songs remind me of melodramatic Taking Back Sunday-era Victory bands with some half-hearted political and social commentary thrown in. Not sure what happened, but AbsolutePunk seems to love it, so that's a red flag.

Problematiclogic (October 16, 2012)

Hadn't heard them before but this is great. Reminds me of Gatsbys American Dream.

stmx (October 16, 2012)

really don't like where this band's been going. the best songs on this album sound like the weakest ones on Sharks' new album.

they went from hardcore punk to the Beach Boys in two moves. impressive.

MN_DrNick (October 16, 2012)

Like the direction where this band is heading. Strongest release.

eazyd2 (October 16, 2012)

love this album. he should fuckin ditch coldplay make this his full time gig

mikexdude (October 16, 2012)

This review has some interesting opinions. Love this record! Probably my favorite of the year.

damnitsderek (October 16, 2012)

So goddamn good.

levidolphin (October 16, 2012)

fantastic!!!! love it!!!

the_braces (October 16, 2012)

easily one of the best of the year