Attack Attack! - Attack Attack! (2010)

HEADS UP!!!! I'm back from working at camp, back to album reviewing!


Artist: Attack Attack!
Album: Attack Attack!
Date Released: June 14, 2010
Genre: Post-hardcore/Electronica

Album Review:

I must say, as soon as I heard Sexual Man Chocolate when it was released as a single off the album, I had mixed feelings. It promised a more mature group of musicians, but also decidedly marked their change since Austin left the band. However, despite completely new vocals, the album has given me smiles. It is chock full of breakdowns and sizzling synthesizers equipped to remind the listener that they are on the attack....all right, a little too much right there, even for me.

Even though the band has retained most of their sound to mass appeal's delight, one should be aware of how stagnant it can get. There are virtually no real riffs, just a bunch of chugs and bleeps that somewhat make me feel that this album is waaaay to mosh-friendly. That lacks class. And yet, the vocal choruses are catchy and melodic, almost enough to make up for the droning palm mutes. In some sneses, the screaming style is less of post-hardcore. Where Carlisle was high-pitched, here it is more reminiscent of A Plea For Purging, mostly because of its growly nature. All in all, the album provides a nice listen. But expect it to get old really fast.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Song-by-song:

Sexual Man Chocolate: I love the piano introduction, and how the breakdown comes in large and in charge. The chorus is always stuck in my head. Definitely a great intro track.

Renob, Nevada: Here, the vocals go back and forth between screaming and a yell. It has a nice full sound. Another good track.

I Swear I'll Change: A very beautiful song in many aspects. The echoed vocals are haunting, and the synth adds to that. The bass pounds through, and it's overall a great lighter song...for the first half. More growling/yelling and breakdowns sneak in.

Shut Your Mouth: A funny and interesting song. Definitely written towards a girl. Vocoder is the band's favorite toy here, and this song serves as a nice interlude for the album. Also definitely my favorite.

A For Andrew: I like the chorus in this song, it has a nice harmony. Otherwise, nothing much to say.

Smokahontas: Breakdowns and bended bass notes open this song, and then explodes into a Breathe Carolina-esque synthpop extravaganza. I like this song, when it picks up anyway.

AC-130: the opposite of Shut Your Mouth. A hxc interlude, a pretty angry one at that. Sigh....NEXT.

Fumbles O'Brian: What's up with the crunk? Remember the intro to Someday Came Suddenly? Was that serious?!?!? Anyway, that's how this song starts out, and it rides into a very nice back and forth between the clean vocals and growling. Very nice sound to this one. SHAWTYYYYYY.

Turbo Swag: This song came out of O'Brian's womb. Feels like the same song upon a first listen. Don't like it much.

Lonely: Slow song of the album. Beautiful vocals, just like the other songs. However, I felt that it lacked the morose feel to close out the album......until I heard the secret track at the end, and I smiled, because I know that AA! has the guts to pull a haunting dub-step style track to end an album. Well done!