Review Summary: From Birth to Burial decided to swim rather than sinking.
10 Years always likes making their albums different, yet identifiable. The Autumn Effect won the ears of many due to it's nu-metal sound, while Division decided to take a more southern approach with its occasional use of guitar. Even with the album Feeding The Wolves, which a lot agree isn't really 10 Years, still had a hard rock delivery to try to make their songs mainstream. Minus the Machine, however, did the opposite, doing a variety of upbeat and slower tempo songs using many new sounds that pleased my tastes. So, as 10 Years released their newest album, From Birth to Burial, what did they decide to bring to the table? They brought in a combination of alternative metal and progressive metal. Did the use of piano and screaming really make this album unique? Yes. Does it sound like 10 Years. Definitely.
Let's start with the cons first, shall we? First off, I am still not fond to the cover, as that baby is just plain creepy. Now don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the concept, and the infamous bird makes a return which is always nice to see, but the art on the baby (more specifically the face) makes me uneasy. All the faded marks around the eyes seem unnecessary, as I originally thought that two of the marks were the eyes. That made me think the mouth was actually the nose, and the mouth just was a creepy smile. After three of having the album cover, I know realized what mistake I have made. I think my friends who I try to show the songs too think the same, as it seems like the art acts as repellent.
A lot of songs take time to get used. Luna and Triggers and Tripwires are prime examples for me. I thought that Luna was my least favorite song of the album because it just didn't seem anything remarkable until I looked at the lyric book and took a better appreciation of the lyrics. Slowly, I heard all details that were put in that song, and I now enjoy the song fairly well. Triggers and Tripwires, however, was something that was able to make it's mark, but just didn't rub in correctly. Luckily, I enjoyed the chorus, and adapted to the heaviness after the fifth listen or so. Now who knows, it may become even one of my favorites of the albums, but it will just take time for a decision on Triggers and Tripwires.
10 Years seemed confused on which song should take the honor for the single. They showed about a minute teaser of From Birth to Burial on one of their YouTube videos, but they decided to pick Miscellanea as their single. This shouldn't have been their first single. A great song, don't get me wrong, but this was just not a great decision on 10 Year's part. I assume they chose Miscellanea due it being more radio friendly than From Birth to Burial, but Miscellanea isn't really that radio friendly itself. Their post-grunge song makes a somewhat weak chorus, in which the radio loves, and could have easily dropped Selling Skeletons or even The River if they wanted to show off their lyrics. Miscellanea didn't even preview the album well, aside from showing that there will be piano, but From Birth to Burial has a mix of strong choruses and lyrically ingenious lyrics, and showing only one side of it seemed to give a wrong impression for the album.
Survivors? is the weakest song of the album. I appreciate slower tempo song, but this was just simply repetitive and not mind provoking at all compared to other songs of the album. The chorus itself gives a decent understanding of what the meaning of the song is, which is not the best thing in 10 Year's standards. The song itself clocks in at four minutes, which is hard for me to bear. Who knows, this can be just personal preference, but I just did not enjoy this song even when the song changes its pace from the usual of the song.
Speaking of Selling Skeletons, the song actually fits itself from one of their phrases, "playing darts in the dark". It's incredibly satisfying when you in hit a dart in the middle, but you miss sometimes too. You get yourself lost between the first and second minutes, which is not good. It makes itself up however by the memorable lyrics at the beginning and and the great combination of the faded scream and the amazing guitar riff afterwords. The lyrics itself are original and cryptic (although I found the meaning of this song pretty easy to figure out) and at other points unoriginal. The faded scream I mentioned earlier says, "Cut me into the core. For more and more and more." Even on the first listen I was able to compare it to Now is the Time (Ravenous) which is good and a bad thing at the same time in my opinion. The reception of this song is generally positive, but it had its moments that kept it short from amazing.
That is about it with the cons, as overall, I enjoyed everything. The mixing, for example, seems flawless, as I found no hiccups or glitches in the album. Every song, even Survivors?, didn't feel as if they were missing anything. This, even when the lead guitarist Lewis Cosby disappeared and Brian had to fill in both the guitar and drums, seemed to mix in perfectly. The execution between Miscellanea and Moisture residue was worked in smoothly, as if they are one song, creating one of my favorite endings to a 10 Year's album (I really enjoyed The Autumn Effect).
The album case is probably my favorite of 10 Year's cases, even if it's flimsy. The artwork is mysterious and they give is lyrics so we can understand what is being said within the screaming. They put the songs in a chapter form, which is appropriate for From Birth to Burial.
The album showed off its mixing in its prime in From Birth to Burial, most likely the best song of the album. This song builds up you go. Sadly, I knew this before the album came out because I Shazamed the video teaser I mentioned and what the Shazam teaser presented was the slow opening. Nontheless, I was still at awe on how well they executed this song. If you know who 10 Years is previously, you should know that From Birth to Burial is about 10 Year's journey throughout the years. I still find the lyrics cryptic even when I know the meaning, which is an accomplishment in itself. I would be surprised if this was not their next single.
I enjoyed Vertigo and Ashes, but I don't believe they should compete for the third single. Simply, Crimson Kiss or The River should get this spot. Crimson Kiss has a very enjoyable chorus and Tater screams mix in together perfectly. The guitar riffs go along in sync to the song which makes you feel alive. The River however, is cryptic and uses unfamiliar phrases such as "religious rat race". The chorus isn't exactly hard going all out in a upbeat pace such as Crimson Kiss, but I wouldn't call it slow either. The River is very melodic, with the pace probably going as fast as The Recipe from The Autumn Effect.
Overall, it's a solid album, with only a few mistakes that's mainly just from decision making. Taking this album as a whole, it's amazing, showing that they still got ideas and talent. This album has certainly us all wondering where they're going from this ambitious album.
