Prepare to feel
Some albums are so significant, they deserve some special treatment. Lament by post-hardcore band Touche Amore is one of them. The band decided to also release a documentary about the making of the album. Besides that, there a quite a few limited edition vinyl available, a special treat for all collectors. Touche Amore are known for their rawness and emotion, and they prove once again that they deserve their reputation.
Lament shows more positivity and thrives towards healing. Singer and frontman Jeremy Bolm explains his thought process behind the album: “I allowed myself the freedom on this album to kind of explore different things … sing about something positive.” This freedom shows and helps the band to deliver what may be their best album yet.
The band previously released three songs, “Limelight,” “Reminders” and “I’ll be Your Host.” It is an art in itself to choose songs to release early. They should represent the rest of the album, stand out and tease the audience enough so they listen to the entire album. It is safe to say Touche Amore successfully mastered this art. All three songs display the wide range of emotions that the album contains, sound-wise, it gives a hint of what to expect from the other songs, and people know they will be hitting hard and deep. But besides these three amazing songs, there are many other standouts on the album (if not every song is a highlight.)
“Come Heroine,” the first track on the album, sets the mood. It’s hard and heavy, with classic post-hardcore elements. The moment of slow beats and set back guitars gives a moment of clarity to the vocals. When all the noise stops, and it’s just the raw vocals, that’s when the emotions really hit. Because that’s life, when all the noise ends, it’s just raw clarity and emotion.
The title track “Lament” has the same post-hardcore energy. The song has the potential to really speak to the listener, and it full-on does so. If something deserves to be a title track, it is this song. Another song that can deliver that is “Exit Row.” Generally, the song is a little harder but just so captivating, and, again, it possesses this amazing rawness of Touche Amore, making it a highlight on the album. The nest track “Savoring” can easily hold up to that, though.
The album gets a little softer with, “A Broadcast.” The song starts very slow and mellow, and with the line “It’s the special kind of quiet,” the vocals set in; how fitting. The sound is a combination of low country elements mixed with typical island sounds. A weird little variety, but it works. The final song, “A Forecast,” is probably the most honest song on the album. It’s a quiet reflection on the front man’s life and the process of the album. It starts off with a soft and lonely piano, to accompany Bolm’s now very soft vocals. It’s a form of singing the audience hasn’t heard during the album. Don’t be fooled though, just after the intro, the song gets heavy, and the vocals scream again. A great ending to a masterfully executed album.
Touche Amore offers what other post-hardcore bands also provide: honesty, emotion and rawness, but there’s something different about them. Lament is different. It’s not just another kicking and screaming kind of album. It’s personal, and it shows. This album has the potential to be a new classic in the genre. If people aren’t familiar with Touche Amore yet, it is time to get that fixed.
Leave a Comment