2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
when emo and hardcore combine, this is the outcome, June 3, 2006
This review is from: Sound The Trumpet (Audio CD)
Emotional hardcore acts Dear Whoever's release "Sound the Trumpet EP" is just a prelude to the band's bright future. This EP was self-released, then re-released after the band signed with the indie label Broken Line Records. The sound quality of the record is sub-par which would be the only reason I rated it 4 out of 5 instead of 5 out of 5.
Dear Whoever has a talent for blending an emotional melodic sound, with the use of hardcore breakdowns and throat-shreading vocals. Lead vocalist Aiden Franklin provides a whiny yet heartfelt effort as DW's frontman while Jason Garner (guitar/vocals) adds the powerful screams to give DW's intensity.
The EP starts out with the screeching guitar intro followed by "THIS DREAM WON'T END!" screams from Garner on the first song "Deluge of Failed Attempts." After about 40 seconds, the song pauses leaving one to think that the first song was just an interlude, but then power chords flaunt from the Heavens. The pause in the song adds a definite effect of disgruntled vigor. After the short rest comes "Blessed be..." just to say that these guys are blessed.
"Security Without Doubts", the third song and probably a fan favorite, is a more emotional piece. The slow guitar intro plus a keyboard recording could draw some of the more hardcore fans away, but as the song goes on, the heaviness returns and prevails. Garner yells into the microphone "I LOST MYSELF when I SAW YOU!"
"Tears of Ashes" is definitely my favorite song. The song basically is about how thankful they are that Jesus died on the cross for them, and they "won't take it lightly" the blood He shed for them. The breakdown after the first tens seconds which includes Garner yelling "CAN YOU HEAR ME, I AM SCREAMING!" Well, yes you can hear him screaming. The song has incredible lyrics poetic, powerful and a tribute to the Lord above.
The single of the album is called "We Cry Mercy" and is the last song on the EP. Definitely the anthem as well as the single. DW seems to be "at war" with themselves during this song. The title of the song also serves as the battle cry "WE CRY MERCY!"
DW is definitely one of the bands to look for in 2006. Their songs just have that effect.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Dear Whoever ~Sound The Trumpet~, January 30, 2006
This review is from: Sound The Trumpet (Audio CD)
While this is a typical screamo bands, it's the typical done well and for a bands debut EP, that is saying something! It means that they have a lot of room for growth and a whole lot of potential. Songs like ""Battlefield Radio" and ""Security Without Doubts"" show much promise! The band borrows from genre mates Underoath with their much edgier guitar work for some of their sound but they don't come off as clones which in part could be due to the production. For what Sound the Trumpet is lacking in production, and the production is not THAT bad, it does make up in heart. The songs are written well and minus a few mistakes here and there (I'm sure the clean vocals would be doubled much more and sound more in key on a better produced album) are filled with enough solid material to make someone paying between five to seven dollars happy with what they get: typical screamo done well. If you're into screamo, pick this one up used but keep an eye out when they drop a full-length on a bigger label!
For Fans of: Underoath and Sometime In April
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