Exclusive Review: Alice Awaits – Silhouettes
Artist: Alice Awaits
Album: Silhouettes
Rating: 5/5
There are times where I hear a band and immediately, I’m drawn in and want to hear more. Most recently, that band has been Alice Awaits, out of Oklahoma City. Unbeknownst to me, they have already released a full-length, entitled The Enemy In Me, in January of last year. That album is masterful in itself so, please, if you get a chance to go check it out, do so! It’s their latest single “Suit Up” that really caught my attention initially, though. These guys play rock music that can go from pop-punk over to post-hardcore in one fell swoop! Alice Awaits is made up, Donovan Smith (Vox), Zach Isbell (Guitar/Vocals), Josh Tassinari (Guitar/Vocals) Jess Mickle (Drums) and, for their live show, Andrew Janousek (Bass). In a studio setting, it really seems that these guys know exactly what appeals to their fans. Their new EP, Silhouettes, mixes emotion with intensity in the best of ways.
The EP starts with an acoustically-led opening/title track, “Silhouettes”, leading into some faded screams to make you immediately get a feel for exactly what I’m speaking of. This track is about proving the would-be doubters wrong. “I just wanna wake this music up from the dead. I’m gonna make them eat those words and criticism that they said and right before their eyes, I will stand with my brothers at my side. So here’s the truth (WE’RE COMING FOR YOU!) This world is mine tonight, tonight!” Vocalist, Donovan Smith, goes on to destroy those who put labels on their music by saying “How can you say your music has soul?! What have you done to my rock n roll?!” This track seems to equally tackle the previous subject while also taking a stab at the state of music today. Where is the originality? Where is the creativity? It all seems to be about the money these days. For those of you who, like Alice Awaits, still do it for the fans, I give you kudos for not letting the money be the biggest thing you’re worrying about. The next track I would really like to hit on is their latest single, “Suit Up”. This track, in terms of tempo and vocals, reminds me a lot of New Found Glory. This brings to mind that earlier mention of that pop-punk flavor that they can give off. This track touches on the subject of the bitter feelings that linger after you’ve been done wrong in a relationship. This one, particularly, is about the plot of revenge that is set into motion in his head when he sees her. She was with him, someone who treated her right, treated her as she deserved to be treated but she threw it all away. Of course, things like this never end well. I’m sure that if you’re reading this right now, you most likely have either felt this way yourself or know someone who has. It’s just a way of telling you that things get better, it’s alright to feel bitter but don’t let your anger overcome you and cause you to do something you regret.
From start to finish, whether you feel it on the first listen or any subsequent listen afterwards, you will notice that this EP is an emotional rollercoaster ride, especially lyrically. Musically, every song manages to remain upbeat to keep the listener interested but hits on a different subject. Of course, it may not be a melancholy, slow song that is hitting the emotional hot-spots on this album but if you listen to the lyrics, you will notice this. I have listened to this EP more times than I can count so far and I’ve never gotten bored of it. I really look forward to what these guys do in the future and will be keeping an eye on them. Check out the lyric video for “Suit Up” below and pick up Silhouettes when it’s available this Friday! You won’t regret it!
“Suit Up” (Official Lyric Video)
