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Heartsounds' lineup is essentially two ex-members of metalcore act Light This City, but the only remaining trace of that band's days in here is the slight technicality employed on this debut full-length. Otherwise, Until We Surrender is somewhat slick, fast-paced melodic skatepunk both EpiFat halycon-day worshipers and newer-school fans can cling to easy.

Until We Surrender shows a bustling sense of urgency and a knack for keen melody. Guitarist/bassist/drummer Ben Murray does a majority of the vocals, but guitarist Laura Nichol contributes a fair amount too (a handful of verses and a lot of the choruses), so you get a good mix of male and female vocals that keep the album pretty consistent and refreshing. In fact, this album sounds quite a bit like the Swellers, as does Murray like Sweller Nick Diener; Diener actually guests himself on "I Climbed for Miles."

The more catchy, sing-along-able numbers are spread across the album pretty well -- "The Song Inside Me," "Until We Surrender" and "No Way Out" among them. But there's also the more faster ones, like "Walking Dead," "No Way Out" and "Our Last Hope." Either way, the band is pretty adept at both methods and mesh their tactics together well.

Definitely a pleasant surprise and very solid debut.

STREAM
Until We Surrender at their Punknews.org profile page



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    Posted by Alien on 2009-10-21 19:09:25
    My Score:

    The more I listen to this, I just can't get enough.
    very good stuff.

    Posted by thatsyouth on 2009-09-24 16:41:09

    Good point. But I said it in the skate punk feel of it all. Wilhelm doesn't really sound like epifat skate punk.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2009-09-23 18:00:55

    thatsyouth -

    They sound "nothing like a wilhelm scream" but they sound like Strung Out?

    Das Not Compute.

    Posted by Slacker on 2009-09-23 16:31:16
    My Score:

    The thing I miss on this album is guitar solos

    Posted by thatsyouth on 2009-09-21 19:10:32
    My Score:

    What? This sounds pretty much nothing like Wilhelm. It's like what people have said already. It's like NUFAN mixed with Strung Out with a guy that sounds exactly like Nick from The Swellers. I think the Swellers could have potentially released an album just like this about 4 or 5 years ago.

    Score is for A Wilhelm Scream, NUFAN, and The Swellers.

    Posted by taargus on 2009-09-21 14:09:11

    I've listened to this album twice and all the songs sound the same except one that has a little slower tempo. yeah, they sound like AWS but are way less good. no, i don't need to get my ears fixed.

    Posted by xshoutoutx on 2009-09-21 00:01:34
    My Score:

    I really dug this when I listened to the stream... thinking about getting it. That metalcore band they were in is HORRIBLE! I decided to check out their myspace just for shits... and that's exactly what I got. But hey, at least they are moving out of that phase and into something MUCH MUCH more awesome!!!!

    ...and also, there is definitely hints of AWS circa Mute Print on there!

    Posted by KevinH on 2009-09-20 15:09:52
    My Score:

    I'm in love with this record right now. Reminds me of a great combination of Strung Out and Making Friends-era No Use For a Name.

    Posted by cherrycolarain on 2009-09-20 14:51:33
    My Score:

    I really like this. It's sweet, yet packs a punch. Awesome stuff.

    Posted by friokir on 2009-09-20 11:16:57
    My Score:

    a record of the year contender for me. and whoever said it sounds like AWS - wtf? get your ears fixed.

    Posted by Slacker on 2009-09-20 08:41:43
    My Score:

    It doesn't sound like AWS, more like older Strung Out

    Posted by oldpunkerforever on 2009-09-20 07:49:36
    My Score:

    brilliant work and quite a nice suprise I might add-oldpunker-

    Posted by RedElephant on 2009-09-20 07:46:17
    My Score:

    i like it.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-09-20 02:43:27
    My Score:

    I *do* love me some skatepunk but I don't think this is all that great.

    Good, but not great.

    Posted by Alien on 2009-09-20 01:13:04
    My Score:

    It is good. very good. some songs don't stick out very much, but worth listening to for sure

    Posted by LeightonESmith on 2009-09-20 01:09:00
    My Score:

    I don't know how you managed to review this without saying A Wilhelm Scream at least once.

    Posted by Blackjaw_ on 2009-09-20 00:34:19
    My Score:

    I can understand and appreciate that they'd be a perfect band for someone who loves this music, but I can't get TOO into them myself. Score is for my subjective opinion on them, not objectively for their (sub)genre.

    Posted by thatsyouth on 2009-09-19 23:02:27
    My Score:

    Fucking LOVE this album. I can't stop listening to it. I was actually just telling my friend the other day how much the singer sounds like Nick. This is fantastic. I get to see them with A Wilhelm Scream on October 13th. So stoked.

    Posted by Ugay on 2009-09-19 22:53:58
    My Score:

    Love this fucking record. Great vocals and guitars

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-09-19 21:47:40
    My Score:

    These songs sound more the same than those Banner Pilots song. Never liked skate punk and this is a good reminder why.

    Boring. Overdone.

    Posted by T-Rock on 2009-09-19 21:23:44
    My Score:

    In my opinion, 3.5 stars is too low. This is album of the year quality, at least for punk fans. Very heartfelt, very well-written, and great musicianship on top of it all.

    Posted by thus_spoke_sean on 2009-09-19 21:12:05
    My Score:

    LOVE this record.

    Posted by deadxlast on 2009-09-19 21:07:15
    My Score:

    Totally bitchin' record. Skate punk gives me an iron stiffy.

    Posted by velvetbrass on 2009-09-19 17:58:25

    Love that cover art.

    Posted by Bryne on 2009-09-19 17:51:12
    My Score:

    Also nailed it on the Swellers vocal comparison.

    Posted by Bryne on 2009-09-19 17:50:42
    My Score:

    So catchy.

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