Customer Reviews

Breaking The Silence

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Letter Black, formerly known as Breaking the Silence, have to know the Flyleaf and Fireflight comparisons are coming. It's inevitable, given the limited amount of female-fronted hard rock bands. TLB's six-song EP, utilizing the band's old moniker, Breaking the Silence, showcases Sarah Anthony's impressive vocals and the band's crunchy guitars well. The song-writing, though not overly inventive or lyrically-astonishing, presents six enjoyable straight-ahead rock tunes. If these are representative of what the band is capable of producing with consistency, then TLB might have a modestly successful career ahead of them.

"Moving On" and "Hanging By A Thread" are a good first two songs to introduce listeners to the band. You can't help but think of Flyleaf's Lacey Mosley as Anthony's powerful voice accompanies the driving guitars and baselines, but she clearly has talent worthy of the comparison at least. She strikes a great balance between aggression and beauty on the majority of the album. Interestingly, however, on "Best of Me," the aggression is completely gone. The song is pop-infused, and I couldn't help but picture Michelle Branch singing (I know, out there. Anyone even remember her?). The song is extremely catchy, but it seems a little strange in the context of what comes before and after it.

The rest of the tracks are more in the vein of the first two. The closer, "Pefect," was one of my favorite, as they managed to mix the beautiful and aggressive elements in their music well. There's some interesting guitar work on this collection, and the songs are solid. Lyrically, things stay pretty vague, and most of the songs could have numerous interpretations. Not that that's a bad thing, but I just prefer when at least of few of a band's songs tell a specific story or delve into a particular feeling a little more overtly.

Overall, I found the collection enjoyable, but I'm not sold that it will have staying power. Other than "Best of Me," with its ridiculously catchy chorus, none of the songs really stayed with me after listening, which is interesting because that song is very different stylistically than the rest. I'm not sure the people who would really enjoy that song will like the rest as much, and vice-versa. Sarah Anthony has a great voice, though. I'm sure many will be attracted to the band because of that voice and the solid guitars. Others will write them off as Flyleaf wannabes or worse. The EP format gives Tooth & Nail the ability to more cost-effectively gauge which response will outweigh the other. I'm hoping it's the former, as I think there's quite a bit of potential with this band and I'd like to hear more than these six tracks.

First off just let me say I really like this band. I have nothing against them in any way. I just would like to inform anyone who may be looking to purchase this particular album that three of the six songs are on their full length album "Hanging on by a Thread." If you like their sound, I would recommend getting that album instead. The other three songs on this album are good, but not for $6-$8. If anything you can download them for a dollar a piece. I made the mistake of getting both albums without looking at the track listings. Again, I really like this band, so I wasn't too upset, just wish I would have looked a bit closer.

The first 3 songs are great! the other 3 so so, a band with great potential

Roaming Tooth and Nail's website, I stumbled upon this band, "The Letter Black" I immediately followed a link to their [...] they are a great Christian rock band, with FANTASTIC lead vocals. done by the Mrs. Sarah Anthony, wife of the lead guitarist Mark Anthony.

After hearing the few songs on [...], I decided to look up tour dates, low-and-behold, they where coming to town in a month!
Well, I got back from that concert last night (where I purchased their CD, and a pile of other merch) and I haven't taken it out of my CD player yet!

A great band for anyone that loves good rock, and great vocals, and even better lyrics!

I had never heard of this band before, but bought the EP to give it a chance. This band rocks! From the opening chords to the final chorus, this album never lets up. Who can you compare them to? Well, Evanescence comes to mind, as well as something along the lines of "What if Creed had a female vocalist?" The guitar work here is great, giving you an aural painting that is rich with color and feel. This isn't the standard 3-chord band. I especially like "Collapse" because it really had a powerful message. I was a little thrown by the opening song's lyrics (Moving On) because I was expecting to hear the song turn to a standard "there's hope in God" message, but it was simply "you hurt me, I forgive you, I'm outta here". All in all this is an incredible EP and I hope the band gets to release a full-length CD in the near future.

I had a chance to listen to The Letter Black's album and I am impressed. To be on tour with Skillet, Hawk Nelson, and Decyfer Down, you have to be talented and they are. I am looking forward to their EP. 6 Songs for around $5, so worth. Get your copy today.

Amazing!! I found the Letter Black by surfing through youtube, and bought this album here. A few weeks later, I realized that this band comes from the town I was born in!!! I had no idea!

Great band, love the music. Very powerful music and great singing. If you like Paramore or Flyleaf or Skillet, you will love this band, also strongly recommend picking up their other CD.

The Letter Black will draw immediate comparisons to Flyleaf, Fireflight etc... simply due to the lack of female fronted hard rock. While Sarah (lead) has a strong harsh voice and the music is rock, at times her voice is more in the operatic metal category so I think a better comparison would be to Halestorm. At any rate, this EP has me totally excited for their new cd coming out soon. The music, lyrics and vocals are all solid. Though not exceptional, this EP shows huge potential.

Favorite songs "Best of Me" (another reviewer commented on how it sometimes gets a little Michelle Branch-esque, completely agree, this song doesn't sound like the rest)and "Collapse".

picked this up in store as discovery and because price was right for discovery ($5). asked the clerk and he said heavier than Fireflight (at time I was anticipating their new release) and I thought great. Good stuff, just imaginge Fireflight stripped and the heaviest just a little harder and that is this release.