Sleeping With Sirens
With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear


3.5
great

Review

by promiseswept USER (14 Reviews)
March 25th, 2010 | 130 replies


Release Date: 2010 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Post-hardcore comes with less suck and audible bass! *gasp

As of March 23rd, Florida's Sleeping With Sirens' debut album has been out. The first time I ever heard this band, I actually laughed out loud. My friend Josh showed me the title track "With Ears To See and Eyes To Hear." There is a distinct part in the song when Kellin sings his lines in rapid-fire fashion, and I laughed out loud from the cheesiness. Since then, they had caught my attention, but in a negative fashion. I later checked out their myspace that same night and gave them another chance, and let's just say I changed my mind. After listening to the old version of "The Bomb Dot Com" and "Big Gulps," I became a fan of this band.

Lets start off with the best thing about this band: the singing. Kellin Quinn showcases his ability throughout this album whether screaming, singing the love ballad "Let Love Bleed Red," or hitting insanely high notes in "If I'm James Dean" that no man with testicles intact should be able to do. Kellin single-handedly saves this album at some parts (Dance Gavin Dance's "Downtown Battle Mountain" anybody?) and keeps this record from getting stale. Kellin's scream sounds unique in a way, although I am reminded by Danny of Drop Dead, Gorgeous. Kellin's natural ability to hit falsetto notes is a great asset to him as well. Kellin shines in "Let Love Bleed Red" "If I'm James Dean" and "With Ears To See."

The production on this album is great. In post-hardcore and basically any modern type of heavy music these days, production is way overdone and leaves the listener feeling like they were just handed an artificial experience (I.E. Isles & Glaciers). The production here is clear, concise, and not overdone. The bass is audible and in some parts, loud! The bassist is your average joe, however. The drumming on this record is nothing special either. Being a drummer, some of the songs are semi-interesting behind the kit though. He utilizes great off-time drumming in the breakdown of "With Ears To See" and even executes a few poly rolls in "Captain Tyin' Knots."

2 vocalists make guest appearances on this record: Dave from We Came As Romans (worst excuse of a band I've seen in a long time) and Aaron from Copeland (who broke up). Dave screams the generic ending in "Captain Tyin' Knots" and adds a hardcore feel that this album thankfully lacks. Dave is generic at best and helps in no way to the weak song. Aaron's part in "Let Love Bleed Red" is quite the opposite: his singing part is quite lower than Kellin's and compliments the song nicely.

Overall, this album doesn't bring much new to the table. Some of the guitar riffing is actually creative, and a few of the breakdowns are very start-and-stop in form, which is nice. This band has a lot of potential, and overall this record is a pretty fun listen. Kellin's vocal work is great, and the overall song writing of this band is surprisingly good for this being a debut CD. However, this record is only 10 songs and insanely short, and personally I was left wanting more. If you're into post-hardcore, you will definitely like this album, and if you aren't, who knows, you might be surprised as I was!

Pros:
Great clean vocals
Very creative moments
Audible bass guitar

Cons:
Can be a chore to get through from start to finish
2 filler tracks on an already short album
Generic breakdowns

Recommended songs:
If I'm James Dean, Then You're Audrey Hepburn
The Bomb Dot Com Version 2.0
With Ears To See And Eyes To Hear

Songs to avoid:
Don't Fall Asleep At The Helm
Outro



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user ratings (809)
3.3
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Homewrecker
March 25th 2010


231 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This is like gay sex for my ears.

Sheluligans
March 25th 2010


3 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Great review. Only part I disagree with is that its hard to get through from start to finish. My only problem with this album is that it's too short. Kellin carries this album with his amazing voice.

ThePalestMexican
March 25th 2010


2816 Comments


good review
I used to be into post-hardcore, but most of the vocals were getting why too whiney, this sounds like it could be really good though, I'll give it a listen.

sspedding
March 25th 2010


5720 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Your reviews are improving mate well done. This is somewhere between 2.5 and 3 for me but in no way comparable to "Downtown Battle Mountain". The breakdowns are annoying and sound totally out of place half the time, agree that singer carries this band on the whole.

PirateSquid
March 25th 2010


1881 Comments


Torn between 2.5 and 3.

Will listen to again when I get home, but hate the breakdonwns

promiseswept
March 25th 2010


846 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

thanks guys!

promiseswept
March 25th 2010


846 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

and yeah this album is totally gay in some ways haha but i love it

iamSeraph
March 25th 2010


928 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

quite good review.

album is cool but nothing special in post-hardcore, just as you said .)

singer reminds me of old jonny craig days.

we'll see how their next output sounds and if kellin can improve even more .)

Zip
March 25th 2010


5312 Comments


vocalist sucks

promiseswept
March 25th 2010


846 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

vocalist sucks



:| you suck

SlightlyEpic
March 25th 2010


5810 Comments


album is really gay

gayagayagysgay

Zip
March 25th 2010


5312 Comments


I may suck, but that doesn't at all change that the vocalist sucks too

LG
March 25th 2010


3050 Comments


Vocalist has the potential to be good....just needs to grow a beard

ThePalestMexican
March 25th 2010


2816 Comments


The heavy sections in the band do feel out of place most of the time, but that singer is damn good (and godly for post-hardcore).

xTevinx
March 25th 2010


104 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Could be the next Broadway album. They just put out a music video for "If I'm James Dean..." it's weird. It is a pretty gay album but has amazing production and vocals. Guitars are fairly interesting also. Lyrics are cheesy but really catchy.

dansxdead
March 25th 2010


438 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Nice review dude. I am enjoying this as we speak.

promiseswept
March 26th 2010


846 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

thank you! i tried to review this album in a non-biased fashion

sspedding
April 6th 2010


5720 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Just gave this a full listen. Half of the album's songs are excellent, half of them are pretty poor.



The title track is fabulous.

MacWeener
April 18th 2010


288 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Massive cheesefest with most of the lyrics, but still very enjoyable



apart from those damn breakdowns

dietmonster
April 21st 2010


22 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

very catchy, didnt think i would like it at first but it grew on me.



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