The Hammer of Thor

So I’m going to do a quick mini-review of a new album.  I haven’t done one of these yet so bear with me!  I know I just raved about VersaEmerge last post, but in light of their new EP release, and my first listen, I thought it acceptable to write about them again.  Anyways…

VersaEmerge

Review:

A little meander over to VersaEmerge’s purevolume page, which can be attained by clicking here, and you will discover that the Fueled by Ramen starlets have uploaded their entire new self-titled EP.  On the first listen-through, I found an enjoyable listen that was certainly a contrast to their first EP.  When I try to put my finger on what bands to use to describe VersaEmerge, the two that come to mind instantly are The Receiving End of Sirens and Paramore.  This was extremely evident on their first EP, Perceptions, with exceptionally familiar vocal melodies belted by lead Sierra Klusterbeck that must give a nod to Paramore.  Her voice is extremely similar to Paramore’s Hayley Williams, and sometimes I swear it is indeed Williams singing.  Couple this with the space-like ambience, arpeggiating guitar leads, and electronic pulse and occasionaly heavy riff reminiscent of TREOS and voila, VersaEmerge.  Seeing as how TREOS and Paramore are two of my favorite bands, I enjoyed Perceptions a great deal.

The self-titled EP, then, is extremely intriguing.  It keeps the poppy vocal lines and guitar pedigree from Perceptions, but smooths out the edges and brings the intensity down a tad.  The towering melodies, I assure you, are still present, and lovely.  But strangely, when I attempt to explain the sound by pointing to a couple bands, all I think of is a perfect marriage of Paramore and The….. Dear Hunter.  Ironically, The Dear Hunter, as I mentioned earlier, is a branch-off effort of TREOS.  This EP shares the orchestral backbone of The Dear Hunter’s Act I and II, with rich string sections, vibraphones, and the same bite to the guitars that seems to mesh with the orchestral sounds masterfully.  It includes a semi-acoustic version of the song “Clocks” (no it’s not a Coldplay cover…. how dare you ask) from Perceptions that is done very nicely.  The song that jumps off the page most for me is “Moments Between Sleep.”  If you listen to any song from this EP, make it that one.

Now, I like The Dear Hunter quite a bit.  I like the unique style a lot.  That said, there’s something about the self-titled EP that doesn’t captivate me like the first EP.  There’s something about Perceptions.  Maybe it’s the extremely addicting single, In Pursuing Design, the likes of which is absent on the new EP.  Maybe I’m just a bigger fan of the TREOS style (probably the most likely).  In any case, there’s something about Perceptions that is just irresistable.  It was, for me, the perfect marriage of two of my favorite bands, which makes it understandable that I am less sold on the new EP.  It seems slightly more… pedantic… musically.  It doesn’t have the punch, the occasional thunderous riff blended with delicate melody.  Whereas Perceptions was a high-amplitude wave, the self-titled EP has been compressed.  The outliers have been eliminated, and it is just less of a high-octane feel.  And you know what?  There’s nothing wrong with that.  The new self-titled EP is still exceptional in its own right.

Verdict:

3.75 out of 5

It’s not 3.5, but it’s not quite at 4 yet.  It comes so close to being great, but barely misses the mark.

I will certainly be looking forward to VersaEmerge’s first full length LP, whenever it comes out, and I think the future is extremely bright for this band.  They have a fresh, energetic sound and stick to it.