The Higher

The Higher: HistrionicsHistrionics (2005)
Fiddler Records

Reviewer Rating: 1.5

Contributed by: Sally_FieldMeg
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on May 3rd 2005Oh, the simplicity of pop-punk. Perhaps the simplicity is what can make pop-punk so appealing. Perhaps the lack of simplicity is exactly where the Higher goes wrong on their Fiddler release, Histrionics. Yeah, that sounds about right. Cheesy lyrics, "metal" riffs, random acoustic songs, techno Ei.

Oh, the simplicity of pop-punk. Perhaps the simplicity is what can make pop-punk so appealing. Perhaps the lack of simplicity is exactly where the Higher goes wrong on their Fiddler release, Histrionics. Yeah, that sounds about right.

Cheesy lyrics, "metal" riffs, random acoustic songs, techno Eiffel 65-esque vocal outros? Wouldn't it be advisable to captivate the listener within the first four songs instead of weakly displaying a band without much talent to spare in the first place? And clapping -- oh, the clapping...

Little Jimmy: "Hey mom! Dad! We need some help with our new album! Please do really half-hearted clapping throughout this record! I hear that kids really dig clapping in songs!"

Dad: "Wow, Little Jimmy. Let's get your brother Tommy in on it, too!"

Little Jimmy: "All three of you!?!?! Okay. But no more than three of you!"

Song title-wise, I don't know whether to take the Higher seriously or not. "Circle Of Death" isn't the most fitting song title I can think of for a pop-punk band. And as for "From The Window To The Wall..." the chorus may as well consist of only "Yeah!" and "Okay!" spoken by Lil Jon. In fact, that would pretty much be my preference.

The Higher's press release notes, "It's a difficult task to try to compare this record to anything sonically but we feel this is their Deja Entendu (Brand New), their Stay What You Are (Saves The Day), their Jupiter (Cave In)..." While we're on the topic of staying what you are, the Higher really shouldn't take heed to Chris Conley's advice. They really... y'know... shouldn't. Or rather, if they desire for this certain reviewer to enjoy them, they should. But I'm sure that's not their main goal. I digress.

Histrionics ends with quite the ironic bang with the lyric, "You can't write the same song over again..." Perhaps with a lyric like that, it shouldn't sound exactly like the other token acoustic song on the album, which was excessive enough as is.

I shouldn't be so harsh. After all, the Higher do write their own lyrics. And that opening line, "I gotta give it away," is awfully catchy. And they - play their own instruments. And, uh... uh... they're on Fiddler?

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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.

bakla (July 15, 2007)

no one in Las Vegas listens to this shit!

Anonymous (April 28, 2006)

the best band ever!!
im so happie that my friend got me into better music..
other then
that shit music[[rap]]
the higher gets 10 yay points!!

Rocka_dok_fok (April 22, 2006)

Well sally aint u just some fucked up whore...

the higher are sick an u go ahead an diss em like that.
if u dont like them fair enough but why write a fictional review on them..

go cut ya wrist to some marilon manson fuck head

Anonymous (March 25, 2006)

hmm i liked the cd but everyones open to their opinions, so go for what you want to say, but dont make a review that basically shuts down and slams any possible fans to the ground, thats not the goal of a review, its to inform people

Anonymous (May 12, 2005)

WOW sally you must be some fucking bitch to put out such a review LOL its not our fault your life fucking sucks and your fat dont take it out on them they are a great band and will tear your ass up live fucking fat fuck go listen to your gothic bullshit and stop trying to rebel on music that people actually fucking like you fatass bitch stfu and get laid lates!!! #counterclick

Anonymous (May 11, 2005)

and umm umm there amazing live and extreammly attractive

sally if you seen them you probably wet your pants

especailly cuase for some odd reason you give off the vibe of being really fat and/or ugly

Anonymous (May 11, 2005)

top greasted albums of 2005

Anonymous (May 11, 2005)

this is the worst review ever
for a great band

i dont understand why people want to review albums that are in the catagory of music that they dont even like

you didint even review the cd you just made it sound like a shitty stand up act

you need to get some open minded reviewer with some intellegence and have some cerebral qulity in writing about music

personally i reveiwed this album on my site and i gave it an 8
cuase i actully toke time to litsen and i dont even like pop punk

Anonymous (May 10, 2005)

sally is fucking cunt that listens to shit music

this review sounds like a twelve year old that just got her period and wants to prove her self to be a woman

and for the record this band is amazing

live and recorded

Anonymous (May 7, 2005)

hmmm well im not one to dis on music and deffinately not music i havent heard like The Higher. But to the dude that explain to us all why he loved The Higher so much... I doubt Screamo (isnt it really Emo?) is a band wagon. really think about it.a band wagon is when ppl like music becuz of various reasons a) being on the radio b) they write easy to follow lyrics c)EVERYONE likes it. "Screamo" is barely on the radio, lyrics for some emo bands are fuckin complex and well u proved that not everyone likes it. So you were saying?

soulbleed (May 7, 2005)

i loved the name taken cd. this isn't bad either, i just thought i was listening to name taken when it came on shuffle.

Strutt (May 6, 2005)

This is fun, catchy music. Remember fun?

Actually, tearing someone's ass up is fun. (haha, oh starting line). And catchy? No.
This is just pathetic.

Anonymous (May 6, 2005)

where is the review for new fantomas at?

inagreendase (May 5, 2005)

i thought this album sounded exactly like name taken's hold on. like exactly.

Name Taken isn't exactly the most amazing band ever, but I thought Hold On was a surprisingly good, catchy record. It's a bit more aggressive and plenty more well-written than this crap.

Anonymous (May 5, 2005)

I have to say I enjoyed your review, (although the fictional dialogue went on a bit much), but I disagree about this cd. This is fun, catchy music. Remember fun? Maybe I'm insufficiently burnt out on the whole pop punk thing, but I have been playing the heck out of this, and liking it much.

Jesse (May 5, 2005)

Kudos! Though, I don't share your opinion of good music, I definitely do share your way of expressing your distaste for bad music. You've got my vote for staff reviewer, that is, if my vote would ever mean anything. Oh well.

Anonymous (May 4, 2005)

"spread your legs if you think the future is inside"

I like it.

Sally_Field (May 4, 2005)

i love that all these people are so quick to agree with such a far-off review.

Maybe because they do not care for the CD, either..

i don't mean to offend you Ms. Sally, but you fucking suck at reviewing music.

Ok.

you think your charisma is getting you far, but when you review albums terribly, that by far surpass anything else put out lately...it's a bit discouraging of your reliability.

We disagree.

so the higher isn't the hardcore/screamo band that everyone has jumped on the band wagon to follow, but they are amazing musicians with much talent.

I've reviewed both Rilo Kiley and the Spill Canvas and given them high scores. Neither are hardcore or ScReAmO.

so if anyone is reading this review wondering whether or not they should buy the album

They can download a song, then.

this album is amazing, the band is amazing. and we will never all agree, but don't let this review discourage you.

It's my opinion.

go out and check out the higher for yourself.

I agree.

PaYcE
Keep it screamo!

Kenjamin (May 4, 2005)

to the guy who just typed all that up below me. Do me a favor and save what you just wrote in a word document and date it. Open it up in 3 years and be shocked you ever felt that way. It'll really humble you. I promise.

Anonymous (May 4, 2005)

i love that all these people are so quick to agree with such a far-off review. i don't mean to offend you Ms. Sally, but you fucking suck at reviewing music. you think your charisma is getting you far, but when you review albums terribly, that by far surpass anything else put out lately...it's a bit discouraging of your reliability. so the higher isn't the hardcore/screamo band that everyone has jumped on the band wagon to follow, but they are amazing musicians with much talent. so if anyone is reading this review wondering whether or not they should buy the album, i would say closemindedness gets us no where. this album is amazing, the band is amazing. and we will never all agree, but don't let this review discourage you. go out and check out the higher for yourself. what is this with everyone wanting to follow? get out of yourself and listen to something good for a change.

Anonymous (May 4, 2005)

This band is still together!?!?!?! I remember when their last CD came out and absolutely NO ONE liked it. I can't remember reading one positive review of it anywhere. What justification could Fiddler come up with to let these guys record more music? Are they like the ugly chick all the other chicks want to have in the group so they look better by comparison? If so, it’s not working. Fiddler needs these guys like I need a hole in the head

Anonymous (May 4, 2005)

Smartpunk is giving away a 10% discount to anyone who fills in a survey!!!

-Chinatown

inagreendase (May 4, 2005)

this is the best thing ive heard in the past 2 years.. this cd proves that good music still does exist.

You poor thing, where did they have you locked up for so long?

im-dead (May 4, 2005)

I don't think the review was very good, no offense sally. however, you sure can make me not wanna ever listen to this band.

Anonymous (May 4, 2005)

I guess you having been paying attention if this is good to you.

-!GreenVandal!

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

haha that review is entertaining.. it amazes me how that could be someones opinion of such a great record. this is the best thing ive heard in the past 2 years.. this cd proves that good music still does exist.

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

your a good person Sally. Rock on.

Fuck this crappy crappy album.

-!GreenVandal!

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

Best album of the year so far.

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

i thought this album sounded exactly like name taken's hold on. like exactly.

mjg (May 3, 2005)

Poulain is fiddler's best band, everything else is trash

civperc (May 3, 2005)

Willy Wonka meets Vitalogy, lol

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

score is for the drinking game circle of death

sally field makes a good reveiw, do more

i noticed the vitology thing too

i love fall out boy, i'm that lame.

paul

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

i saw these guys live and it was the worst thing ive ever seen in my life

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

Dearest Sally, everything you touch turns to gold.
Score's for Cave In's Antenna.

Inspection12e (May 3, 2005)

Good point to the guy below me.

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

Has nobody noticed the album cover is a blatant rip off of Pearl Jam's Vitalogy yet?

Nice review by the way.

Anonymous (May 3, 2005)

more like "the gay - gaystrionics"

Kenjamin (May 3, 2005)

this review had a really great flow to it. I can't put my finger on it. Props.