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Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)

In 2005 Lovehatehero released their impressive debut, Just Breathe. In between their first full-length and its follow-up, White Lies, the band lost a drummer and both guitarists. After replacing the members, the band settled down and wrote what would easily become their best effort to date.

Straight from the beginning it’s entirely obvious this isn’t the same Lovehatehero, as the album-opening “Goodbye My Love” comes out with both guns a-blazing, as Myke Russell and Kevin Gruft straight up shred through the entire song, topping it all off with a solo at the end leaving the listener surprised, especially if they had already written off the band. And that’s the biggest change that separates White Lies from the rest of the pack. Kevin Gruft and Myke Russell each prove they know how to use their guitars, as just about every song features a memorable solo. The guitar work, especially those solos, are even more reminiscent of At the Gates than the genre's typical endeavors. While the band may share several similarities with bands like Funeral for a Friend and Scary Kids Scaring Kids throughout the verses, it’s the soloing that helps blow the listener away.

Another one of the album's improvements is how varied the songs are, especially compared to how a majority of Just Breathe blended together. Songs like “You Got Served” and “To the End” are heavy hitting, while tracks like “Move On” and “White Lies” are more mellow and melodic. The lyrics also vary, ranging from songs about girls to songs about the band and songs about Hollywood’s anorexia obsession. Keeping all of the songs together is vocalist Pierrick Berube, whose vocals range from efficient singing to the occasional shout, all backed up with layered vocals from just about everyone in the band, á la the Receiving End of Sirens.

It was on this very site where I saw someone call this band “A Wilhelm Scream gone emo.” I think that comparison holds true in the sense that each band brings to the table notable musicianship that rises above the genre's typical fare. While some of it has been done before, it’s still some of the best work to come from the post-hardcore/emo genre and it’s varied enough, making White Lies one of the year's biggest surprises.



People who liked this also liked:
Brand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside MeRefused - The Shape of Punk to ComeSet Your Goals - Mutiny!A Wilhelm Scream - RuinerDescendents - Milo Goes To CollegeAgainst Me! - New WaveLook Mexico - This Is Animal MusicGiving Chase - A Cheap Print of a MasterpieceDance Gavin Dance - Downtown Battle MountainBeatsteaks - Limbo Messiah



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    Posted by reduced2teeth on 2007-06-23 19:26:52

    Their first release left me impressed and with high hopes for the future... I really did love that cd... it hurts to see this be their next release... I feel like their turning into a Chiodos clone... :(

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 11:50 AM (EDT)

    Are those websites real websites made by the church? Cuz I found THIS one, and it looks a lot different than those links 2 comments below. CHECK IT OUT:

    www.scientology.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 2, 2007 at 10:01 PM (EDT)

    This album is AMAZING I can't stop listening to it!!

    And to the guy below me, who cares what religion they belong to?(If it's even true. How the fuck does this guy know) At least they aren't singing about it like all those god freaks.

    Plus that religion is so bashed by the media because its "new and contriversial" You can believe all the tabloids, but that just proves how dumb you are. I have a friend who is a Scientologist( I live in L.A.) and he is really cool. He tells me none of that alien shit is even true.It's just media lies. I love LoveHateHero for their music.

    And if the guy below me started a band and I liked the music, I wouldn't care that he probably wears zipper pants and an extra-large slipknot t-shirt, lives in Kansas and fucks his sister while letting his pet goat lick peanut butter off his balls. Cuz we know you do. (ok maybe I wouldn't like his band, but I like underoath and I don't agree with everything in their religion)

    All you shit talkers, listen to the song "Of sound and Fury" from the new LoveHateHero album. The rest of you fans, don't listen to shit-talkers. THINK FOR YOURSELF!!

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 5:16 PM (EDT)

    WARNING - this band has two members that are part of the pyramid scheme death cult SCIENTOLOGY. Fuck them, seriously. For more info please check out :

    http://www.xenu.net

    http://www.xenutv.com

    http://www.s cientology-kills.org

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 12:34 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This album definitely deserves a listen from everyone...especially those who thought very little from their first album (like me). I was blown away with the first listen and it gets better every time after.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 11:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I don't even know how people can listen to this shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 8:08 PM (EDT)

    This band sucks gigantic donkey cock.

    Posted by coldwaffles on 2007-03-25 08:54:54

    i got pseudo-name dropped here.

    interesting.

    Posted by Allular on 2007-03-24 11:45:12

    "No shit assjacket. But people on this site usually like the same stuff. It was weird seeing something get a good rating that would normally get flamed."

    You fail to recognize that crazytoledo reviewed this album.

    Posted by Holy_Balls on 2007-03-23 19:06:16

    "Hey dipshit. This is one person's review, which contains one person's opinion. It's not a combined staff rating"

    No shit assjacket. But people on this site usually like the same stuff. It was weird seeing something get a good rating that would normally get flamed.

    Posted by icapped2pac on 2007-03-23 16:26:10
    My Score:

    "I dont have my glasses on, but it looks like this got a 4. I thought this would get flamed. Touché punknews, touché."

    Hey dipshit. This is one person's review, which contains one person's opinion. It's not a combined staff rating.

    Also, I gave this 30 seconds and it sounded pretty generic. Then I read that their solos supposedly set them apart. I can stand some generic-ness (my vocab fails me at the moment), and I can sometimes stand guitar solo wankery (shouts out to Strung Out and the Swellers) if it's enveloped in an otherwise good song. But put the two together and you've got a shit stew.

    Posted by dietcokeofpunk on 2007-03-23 14:53:18

    “A Wilhelm Scream gone emo.”

    2 reasons for me to avoid this band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 8:08 AM (EDT)

    ferret is lame.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 2:55 AM (EDT)

    so is not putting a space between words the cool thing to do now?

    Posted by dusticles on 2007-03-23 02:03:33

    I mean to say "have not heard..." below. sorry, its what studying for two tests on four hours of sleep and energy drinks do to you.

    Posted by dusticles on 2007-03-23 02:02:39

    In 2005 Lovehatehero released their impressive debut, Just Breathe

    My ass, that shit was boring. I have heard this new album, and I plan on not doing so.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 12:52 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    A few songs are lame, but almost the entirety of this record is a pretty good listen.

    Posted by Holy_Balls on 2007-03-23 00:37:46

    I dont have my glasses on, but it looks like this got a 4. I thought this would get flamed. Touché punknews, touché.

    Posted by treos on 2007-03-23 00:28:22
    My Score:

    Good efficient review. This album definitely rocks, so much better than their last. I have lately drifted away from some of the emo music i used to listen to but this release has rekindled the fire. Props for the A Wilhelm Scream reference, who also fuckin rip it up

    Score is the the TREOS reference

    Posted by andrewg on 2007-03-23 00:17:49

    This has 'guilty pleasure' written all over it.

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