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A Static Lullaby

A Static Lullaby (2006)
Fearless Records

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 19th 2006

All A Static Lullaby really needed to do to make a drastic improvement over 2005's abysmal, confused Faso Latido was retool half their lineup: in other words, separate from the more progressive-minded members so those guys could form Casket Salesmen. This has allowed A Static Lullaby to get back to their roots, those being a half-intense, 21st century model of post-hardcore that I maintain was executed better than nearly all the band's peers on 2003's ...And Don’t Forget to Breathe.

A Static Lullaby does sound like a logical progression from Breathe, featuring a couple more radio-friendly patterns and lots of well-counteracting and clean, melodic singing, like in opener “Hang ‘Em High.” The song does open with some initially cringe-worthy lyrics, with frontman Joe Brown proclaiming in a scream “this is life in a car crash” and immediately bringing to mind the oft-compared Thursday. Ironically, Phil Perrone was the only member of the band really involved in any sort of car crash since the band’s previous recording and he’s one of the aforementioned departed members. In any event, guitarist Dan Arnold’s singing in the chorus more than makes up for it; even in this moment alone the band has rarely sounded this urgent. He does a superb job in “The Art of Sharing Lovers” and “Life in a Museum,” too; maybe it’s because the band has been doing it nearly a half-decade (practically veteran status for this style), but the singing somehow avoids coming off cheesy and convoluted, instead energetic and welcomed.

New drummer Jarrod Alexander shows off his lineage (Death by Stereo, the Suicide File) well, providing the occasional double-bass fill, heavy backbone or even double-time speed, as in “Static Slumber Party,” which makes me think producer Steve Evetts couldn’t wait to record the new Lifetime record so he got in an early kick on here. That song in particular helps pick up a somewhat tired second half.

Unfortunately, nothing here really matches the creative potential hinted at in the past by the great “A Sip of Wine Chased with Cyanide,” although the band does noticeably channel their influences of old like anyone would guess. Glassjaw similarities pop up occasionally, while Brown screaming over a quieter backdrop in the verses of “The Collision” sounds a lot like “We Go to Eleven.” Some credit is deserved for not only shaking off a lot of the previously obvious Finch comparisons, but even outlasting that band (as far as it looks).

A Static Lullaby has never really been about reinventing the wheel, and in all likelihood they never will -- but at least they changed the fucking tire.

Hang ‘Em High
The Art of Sharing Lovers

VIDEO
Hang ‘Em High

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crazytoledo (March 19, 2007)

"The Annexiation of Puerto Rico" is hell of a fun song live. Haha, the pit was pretty good for these guys.

Anonymous (January 9, 2007)

Will, just die. Please.

kenada (December 28, 2006)

it's worth a listen if you want something to bop to - i like it.

Anonymous (December 21, 2006)

Ew... Can't believe anyone who even knows who the Suicide File are would be in this band. Gross.

-Will

inagreendase (December 21, 2006)

The cover reminded me of "Sin City" if anything...

clamum (December 21, 2006)

Pure feces. Why does this trash even get posted?

WyldCannon (December 21, 2006)

i enjoy some of this CD. It's nothing groundbreaking but good to listen to in the car.

damnitsderek (December 21, 2006)

The album art looks like something that would be on a Hentai movie cover.

Big_Guy (December 20, 2006)

why?

they've got another Jared.

I think he should just play in DBS

Anonymous (December 20, 2006)

Well he was. He should rejoin then.

Big_Guy (December 20, 2006)

Jarrod Alexander should devote all his time to The Hope Conspiracy.

why would he devote his time to a band he's not in?

SydBarrett420 (December 20, 2006)

The 2 stars are for The Collison and The Art of Sharing Lovers. The former has a great breakdown at about 2:30 and the latterhad good verse vocals. Otherwise this album is meh.

historypeats (December 19, 2006)

If they somehow merged it with the Cute is What We Aim For cover (in which a bunch of guys stare sullenly at the ground, too absorbed in their own angst to notice the girl trying to remove all of her clothing at once), it would be worse/more self-absorbed/emo-angstful. But you're right, that's pretty much the textbook definition of Hot Topic emo there.

daved4 (December 19, 2006)

honestly....

could the cover get any worse/emo?

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

Jarrod Alexander should devote all his time to The Hope Conspiracy.

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

I can't believe Jarrod Alexander is wasting his talent in a band like this. Then again, I can see why he jumped ship on When Tigers Fight (Considering their latest record is worse than this one).

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

you both scare and confuse me with your whacky sex references.

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

ohhhhhhhh man i am gonna carress her tits and then proceed to nibble at her clit while she pokes her fingers up my ass hole... cunt cunt cunt fucker fucker fucker

my mate will garner is a tucker fucker
nick smith is a cunt
ttt is a fuck head
chapo is a dark cunt
rydzy is a mole toothed fuck
greg is a corp
jimmy is fucking useless dew
pat is a nigga
jeff is a fuckin shrek flat faced wannabe
mikeys mrs is gonna get fucken stolen by my 13incher

klonny (December 19, 2006)

mor liek a faggot lulaby

crazytoledo (December 19, 2006)

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 10:25 AM (EST)

Crazytoledo is stoked.

Did you not see my comment half a page down?

Idiots.

Big_Guy (December 19, 2006)

This record is so much better than either of the other two.

I give it a 7/10 for improvement

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

Crazytoledo is stoked.

rkl (December 19, 2006)

My best friend at college listens to this crap all the time.
Or did.
I'm really glad he totaled his car.

crazytoledo (December 19, 2006)

The only song I liked on this was "The Art of Sharing Lovers." The rest is pretty blah and boring, but besides a few songs, I was never really into these guys.

fallingupwards84 (December 19, 2006)

the cover art makes me never want to listen to them

Rastid (December 19, 2006)

score is for coral fang

indie_is_better_than_punk (December 19, 2006)

"Read the last paragraph of this review, and the last paragraph of the scars of tomorrow review. Pretty funny."

haha. a hurricane of cliches.

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

Let's be REALLY generous

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

Read the last paragraph of this review, and the last paragraph of the scars of tomorrow review. Pretty funny.

Dante3000 (December 19, 2006)

The 6/10 was Brian's Christmas gift to A Static Lullaby.
Sure beats a fruit cake.
-Dante