Halifax

The Inevitability Of A Strange World

Written by: PP on 09/06/2006 05:06:06

Wow. That's all I have to say about Halifax's improvement since their 2004 EP "The Writer's Reference", let alone their 2003 debut album. With "The Inevitability Of A Strange World" Halifax has finally found their signature sound the first two releases hinted towards but never quite achieved.

The songwriting has leaped forward more than I thought possible. The songs sound much bigger, brighter and are much more guitar-driven than their previous efforts. This isn't your usual pop punk album recycling the opening track riffs for the remainder of the album, but instead an album filled with surprising hooks ("Our Revolution"), varying degree of speed and structure, with sparingly used soared vocals replacing the cliche screaming the oversaturated genre consists of.

This all works to the advantage of Halifax. The bright/dark dynamic brought forward by the strong power chords and the rough-edged bright singing draws close similarities to Anberlin, but where the latter uses the guitars to create a soothing atmoshpere, Halifax uses them to inflict power, strength and variety to their sound. If you weren't sold by the first three tracks of the album, then the fourth one, "Anthem For Tonight" is guaranteed to steal your emo/pop punk loving heart, while "Better Than Sex" is a perfect example of how simple power chords arranged together in a complex manner and harmonious singing can create a terrific symphony of ecstatic emo-Godhood.

Even the two compulsory soft tracks "Giant In The Ring" and "A Tint Of Rain" don't bother me much as the 11 other tracks are awe-inspiring. Halifax has finally invented themselves and can be proud of the end result, which is reflected in the flood of positive reviews flowing towards the band.

8

Download: Anthem For Tonight, Better Than Sex
For the fans of: Anberlin, Bayside, Taking Back Sunday
Listen: Myspace

Release date 23.05.2006
Drive-Thru Records

Related: "A Writer's Reference EP" Review

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