Review Summary: You need this in your life..
I've never really gotta into Architects until this album. 6 years and 4 albums in, I've always thought the band were techncally good at what they do, but needed more clean vocals to compliment the screams which got tiresome on previous releases 'Nightmares', 'Ruin' and 'Hollow Crown'. On 'The Hear and Now' there are still plenty of great screams but its the clean vocals that makes this album stand out, with all the vocals done by frontman Sam Carter.
The album starts with Day In, Day Out and within 10 seconds Sam screams 'The years I've put into this' with passion. There is a nice mix of rough screams and cleans throughout the song with some gang chants later on that will go down well with the crowds at future gigs.
Learn to Live slightly fastens up the pace with energetic drumming and excellent guitar work. A great song that shows how Architects have progressed from 'Hollow Crown' both musically and lyrically. Next up is 'Delete, Rewind' For me this song is very average. It is missing the big choruses that the rest of the album has. Old fans of Architects may disagree and like it but it's not for me.
'BTN' starts off very similar to Bring Me The Horizons 'It Never Ends' with anthemic fast guitars. Clean vocals are prominent throughout the song with some rough linked inbetween making you admire Sam's transitional microphone skills. For the fiirst time we finally get to hear the amazing vocals Mr Carter possesses. Without doubt one of the best songs on 'The Hear and Now'.
'An Open Letter to Myself' is my personal favourite. The song builds up nicely with Sam's yet again impressive slightly echoed vocals. At just over 2 minutes in the chorus explodes and 'my so called friend' is epically screamed out with immense passion making this a highlight of the album. I'm sure everyone will listen to this and enjoy it, Diverse and Anthemic, Architects just became your new favourite band.
'The Blues' is up next. "I could turn my back and leave you, after all you've done for me" shows lyrically the band have progressed and subconsicously make u think what the lyrics mean. There are comparisons to Alexisonfire and other post-hardcore influences throughout this track.
'Red Eyes' is a great rock song and will probably be released as a single at some point. "Every word I ever said is making sense again" is sung beautifully, you can feel the enthusiasm the band have put into this record. This track is going to be a favourite for some newcomers to Architects as it is so accessible. 'Stay Young Forever' featuring Comeback Kid is the next track. I think fans of both bands will be slightly disappointed with this, it doesn't really go anywhere and will likely get skipped half way through.
'Heartburn' is amazing. Sam's vocals impress throughout this balled (who would of thought Architects doing a Ballad?). The electro synths in the background go perfectly into the acoustic guitars. Huge chorus "Hold out your hand and lean upon me, I'll be the one to make you smile" shows Sam is fast becoming one of the best vocalists in UK music.
Final track 'Year in year out' again shows the Alexisonfire influence with guest vocals from Dillenger Escape Plan. This song is executed much better than the manic 'Stay Young Forever' in my opinion. A nice track to finish off the album, fast paced with a big chorus with some nice breakdowns.
Overall, Architects have gone down a different route as they have done on each release yet deliver easily their best album to date and one of the best albums of 2011 so far.
