Review Summary: It does contain talent
Honestly, post-hardcore has taken a hit in the past couple years. A genre that once started with trophies like Thursday, Thrice, and Glassjaw has now dissolved into "mellow metalcore" that doesn't require much talent and is much too easy to imitate. While some bands thrive off this imitation, others offer just enough of an original edge in their generic whitewash to truly stand out and be enjoyable. Along with groups like INFAF and ADTR, Dream On Dreamer is one of their bands to offer just enough of their own spunk to stand out among a sea of imitators.
Yes, everything on
Heartbound has been done before, and done to the nth degree. Whether it's the clean vocals of A Day To Remember, the melodies of WCAR/BTF, or the heavier experimentation of OM&M, nothing here is new. It's intense music with breakdowns-a-plenty, combined with raging screams and of course "trendy electronics". Screamer Marcel Gadacz veers between growls and yells effortlessly, never seeming strained or pressed. Again, it's not a unique delivery, but it's a dang good one. Former bassist/clean vocalist Mike McLeod has a fairly high-pitched tenor that rivals Kellin Quinn, as it manages to still sound masculine and firm rather than strangely feminine. Also, there's rare usage of autotune on either vocalist, which is always a relief. Unfortunately, both guitarists are where the band begins to fall apart. Despite some slight exceptions (namely "A Path Of It's Own" and "Taking Chances, Breaking Free"), they both just tremolo pick and chug along, simply backing up the strong interplay between the clean vocals and the harsher parts. The rest of the rhythm section honestly isn't worth speaking of.
"For What You Believe In" is a fantastic song dominated by passionate cleans and inspiring cleans, while the album's first three tracks are an entertaining post-hardcore roller coaster ride. The orchestral effects in "Taking Chances, Breaking Free" give the track an epic feel and make it memorable, while "Blinded" is another fantastic blend of soothing melody and angst-ridden screams. Truly, this is what the band is best at, and they would be much better focusing on a straight-up blend than focusing too much on heavy or light. Speaking of light, "Lifestream" is am ambient ballad that puts much more emphasis on dousing your eyes than shredding your heart.
Honestly, the first three songs of the album alone are a real treat. They'll get you excited for the album, despite containing exactly what you would expect. These show the band at their best, and should definitely be purchased. Like many contemporaries in the post-hardcore scene, much of DOD's chemistry rests on the brilliant dueled vocals of Mike and Marcel, especially Mike's cleans in the ballads. Though the guitarists do occasionally show potential, they play what is expected and are wholly generic, as the same goes for bass guitar and drums.
Is it amazing? No, but does it contain talent. Yes, and loads of it. Though the electronic elements and over-serious moments are cheesy, without those, this would be a proficient force of an album. If not the whole thing, at least consider the standouts of
Heartbound.
