Review Summary: Glassjaw's 'El Mark' marks a new step further into they're new experimental and alternative side. Will it succeed? Yes, yes it will.
The post-hardcore scene has gone straight to the gutter in the latter of this decade, we all know that, but what if some artists still strayed into the great and noteworthy spectrum of this genre? Undoubtedly, Glassjaw are the perfect example of this matter. We're talking about a band who went from straight-forward hardcore material to a more experimental and alternative side. We've seen this in other cases, such as the Deftones. The band evolves into a whole new shape and formula that takes us into utter ecstasy. Glassjaw's 'El Mark' marks a new step further into they're new experimental and alternative side. Will it succeed? Yes, yes it will.
In the year 2005, Glassjaw decided to release a B-Sides EP conglomerating one new unreleased song and two tracks that were released on a past single, Cosmopolitan Bloodloss. At first sight this may seem to you as just an EP, a futile attempt of releasing short meterial. Though it may seem like this, the statement can be no further from the truth than it already is. 'El Mark' starts out with a straight-forward and heavy track, which is the title track of the record. This one presents us a side of the band that's already been distributed in their prior releases. The instrumentation sounds vastly varied and dynamic, as always and Daryl's vocals are pretty varied and keen, as well. Then we get a ballad that features the producer, Ross Robinson (son of Byron Katie) on the piano and Shannon Larkin (Godsmack) on drums. This is a swell track that's perfect for gaze at the stars at night, with great lyrics such like: "Cancer is the proof we will be going nowhere soon. You're the reason why I'm always asking of you twice." After that soft and heavenly swing we get a gentle alternative track that features a gentle skat/rap with a jazzy-swing tune in the background (played by the actual band this time).
Basically the record conglomerates most of the band's talents in one sole EP. Proof of how Glassjaw can swipe you off your feet with just an EP. Could they also pull it off on a full-length? The answer is hell ***ing yeah. This record is also a hint at what you could expect of the band in the future, with EP's such as 'Our Color Green' and 'Coloring Book', the band takes a great experimental leap into utter greatness.
Recommendations:
-The whole thing.
Pros:
-Short, but sweet release.
-The band experiments with new sounds and textures.
-Lyrics are great, as always.
-It's raw.
Cons:
-One more track would've been appreciated.
-Production could be better.
