Customer Reviews

Between the Heart & The Synapse

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

with all the unoriginal post-screamo albums being released in the last two years (2003 was the last decent year of screamo bands), "between the heart and the synapse" is probably the most innovative, experimental, and perhaps the best album in the past two years. the album is amazing, intelligent, and very complex that i felt like i couldn't give it a proper review. i wouldn't call this album screamo or emo, but an emotional, post hardcore, experimental, progressive rock album. it's all of those genres lumped into one and the result is a masterpiece. not only is the music quality stellar, the intertwining vocals from three different singers and stunning lyrics help deliver this album as well.

as for comparing TREOS to any other bands, forget it. no one else sound like band. they are completely original and this album is an epic masterpiece. the bands songs are very catchy, dark, experimental, and don't seem to follow any pattern whatsoever. very few songs on here have a simple chorus as for the chorus (and the whole song) progresses throughtout the song itself. it's very unpredictalble and i hear new things every time i listen to it.

the album is solid, but the three standout songs are "planning a prison break", "the rival cycle", and "this armistace". this band has such talent for being their first album and i can't wait for another release. also, these guys are extremely good live. see them if you get the chance! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...

I don't listen to 'emo'. I detest 'powerpop' and 'pop-punk'.

That having been said, treos is an absolutely amazing band. They're insanely complex, there's always a lot going on in the background that you don't noticed until you listen a few times. The vocals do NOT sound poppy at all. Their lyrics are some of the best I've heard. They've got one guy who does vocals, guitar, keyboards, and controls the synth stuff on a laptop at shows. They're just amazing. Listen to "the war of all against all" or "dead men tell no tales" if you get a chance, those are two of their best songs.

I bought this album without knowing anything about it (as I often do). I liked the cover art and the name of the band, so I gave it a shot.
So I pop it in the cd player and hear the intro. "Wow, that's pretty good," I think. Then track two comes on and I immediately think "oh no, Emo! What a fool I've been!"
However, being the open minded chap I am, I listened to the whole thing, and then I listened to it again. Well it turns out, even a devoted anti-emo troubador like myself has to admit that this album is pretty good. The interplay between the synths and guitars is very unique and modern sounding and it gives the whole record a great atmosphere. All the musicians are clearly very talanted. Another reviewer said that this record "transcends genres" and he couldn't be more right.
The only negetive comment I have is that I don't really like the style of singing, but that's just personal preference.
In summary: if you like anything resembling emo, you will love this album. If you hate anything resembling emo, there's a good chance you will like this album anyway.

Although I would hate to call another reviewer an "idiot", I agree that suggesting that this album is "emo", "punk", or sounds anything like/offers anything remotely similar to bands like Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory, and Saves the Day...is ignorant.

This is not your average Warped Tour fare. This album is a brilliant work of art, expertly crafted by five extremely talented musicians with a level of genius you rarely find in a single member of any band, much less in FIVE members of ONE band. Seriously, TREOS is that good. And this is just the first record...

To call this album, "emo" is selling it way short. "Epicore" (epic core) or "Litcore" (literary core) would be much more appropriate. The thematic elements of this album borrow from everything from the works of Thomas Hobbes to Romeo & Juliet, with even shades of Marxist literature at points (see "Flee the Factory"). And the lyrics are like old romantic poetry. "Where art thou? I've dressed up this canvas skin; painted something colorful just for you" (Then I Defy You, Stars) is just one example of the beautiful, romantic lyrical expression to be found on this epic disc.

Musically, the three vocalists jump in and fade out in a nearly seamless, dreamy arrangement--almost like multiple thoughts jumping around inside your head (give it a shot with earphones, just once). The instrumental arrangements do the same thing, supporting the lyrical swings, and finding different ways to progress an energetic album that doesn't stop or let down for a moment (save the occasional slow segue such as that found at the end of "The War of All Against All").

The production is what floors me, though. On no other album will you find themes and lyrics so brilliantly tying an album together--giving it a coherent wholeness. Almost every song on the album has a counter-piece where lyrics, themes, and musical arrangements will blend into one another. "The Evidence" and "Broadcast Quality" for example are tied together by the line "Her fingers, like spiders, spun a web my body couldn't shed" while "Then I Defy You Stars" and "Venona" are paired by the usage of Romeo as a sort of counterpoint for the songs ("Do you like what you see?...Oh, Romeo"). For this reason, I find it almost impossible to put this album in just to listen to one song. I play it for either the first half (before 'Intermission') or the second half (post 'Intermission'). Oh yeah, and Anthony Green does high-note assistance on "Flee the Factory". Balls. To. The. Wall (since I've been way too formal).

So, every song on the album is phenomenal and has been my favorite song at one time or another. The weakest is probably "Planning a Prison Break" or "Dead Men Tell No Tales" although the former serves as a good, more-mainstream-sounding track for hooking newcomers to the band. My favorites are 'The War of All Against All', "Broadcast Quality", "Then I Defy You Stars", and "Venona".

This is the most amazing album conceptually I may have ever heard. All other albums are just music, for what it's worth. This is a movement. Hopefully Casey's departure won't keep "The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi" from being another revelation. After seeing them live a couple of weeks ago, though, I'm far from worried.

These days, being emo is what's in but knowing emo is unfound. There are different styles of music that could all be associated with the emo label, and it could be said that emo's best days are behind them as bands try to emulate a sound that has grown tired and lacking fresh ideas.

The Receiving End of Sirens is a band that is thrown into today's mix, but they have the most diverse, powerful, and emotional sound out there. They combine elements of progressive, hardcore, punk, and metal to create something so involving and compelling that it's unlike anything considered emo nowadays. To rate this album song by song will be a disservice to the progression the listener experiences. This is not an album with filler or no direction. It is clear yet complex, optimistic while tormented, and imagined despite the reality.

It's quite amazing how a band who quietly opened a show for Saves the Day in Philadelphia would turn out to be the most inventive band we've seen from the genre in years. I don't know how they'll follow up this album but I'll be intrigued to find out. If you haven't already listened to them, you are definitely missing out on the most sensational debut I heard in 2005. Pick up Between the Heart and the Synapse and you will definitely not regret it.

This is an astonishing album. TREOS's sound is very multi-textured, with three guitars, three distinct vocalists, and perfect blend of electronica. It seems like they really refined their sound before releasing this album. They definately avoided the traditional song structure, creating a much more progressive sound. This is a well crafted album, from an un-pretentious band. Their live show is also highly recommended. For fans of Circa Survive, Dredg, Thrice and Emery

If you like/dislike review let me know

So I heard 'planning a prison break'and i was hooked, so I got the CD a few months later and i listened to the CD once and i was like, okay, this is kinda weird...than i listened to it a few more times and i was like Wow, this is pretty good. So give it a few spins before u judge this CD. And for those of you that think it is emo, it is not emo, I really dont know what genre this band would be in. I guess i'll say what some of the other people here have said, they're genre trancending. But they are an amazing band so you really need to check these guys out. Best songs have got to be plannign a prison break, this armistice, and broadcast quality, though all the songs are good and i like them all. So buy this CD, because in a music age where everything has been sounding the same lately, this is something fresh and new.

Well i can safely say that this is my favorite band right now and i have owned their CD for several months.Between the Heart and the Synapse is an amazing Debut for TREOS, filled with synthesizer, catchy and heavy guitars, wonderful intros and outros to most songs, and some occasional, but good screaming.
So if some of you didn't know TREOS has three lead singers, yes three lead singers, which keeps their music fresh and original and makes each song sound different. Most of TREOS' songs are 4-5 minutes long and constantly changing, so each song is very memorable. I can't even wait until their next Cd even though it probably wont be for a year or so. So yea buy this CD if you like original/experimental stuff or if you just like great music

I had been aware of TREOS for quite a while, and loved the song "Planning A Prison Break" from the moment I heard it. I really waited too long to get this CD, because it is truly mind-blowing. All the songs sound awesome, the instruments sound great, and I absolutley love the triple vocal attack. This is definitley a must buy, for pretty much anyone. Its really more Experimental than anything else, and it just sounds really great. Hope I can go see these guys play in a month, they're one of my favorite bands now.

The Receiving End of Sirens is a very talented band. They're not Emo like alot of people have suggested. They're actually considered Experimental/Indie. They are not considered Emo, because they don't stick to playing conventional powerchords and singing whiny lyrics. Emo is a trend more than it is a genre... back to subject.

The Receiving End of Sirens is made up of three guitars, three vocalists, bass guitar, keyboard, drums and synth. No matter what genre they may be called by, they definately transcend any genre classification. Their Musical talents are seen throughout every second of Between the Heart and the Synapse. The album features upbeat rock with terrific, impassioned vocals and spacey sounds that make the songs and the song transitions give you goose bumps everytime. Their Innovative sound gives way to this explosive blend of greatness. I highly recommend this album because it showcases this full throttle music perfectly. Plus, if you like to smoke the reefer, this albums for you.
Buy it.
Derek.