Anthemic. Epic. So incredibly reminiscent of the pop-punk days of the 90′s. I almost called this a guilty pleasure album, but there’s no reason to feel guilty. Balance and Composure’s Separation is just really good and should have come out twelve years ago. It has Kurt Cobain’s dark feelings to it, but pops and rocks like early Jimmy Eat World. Its twelve tracks clock in at around 48 minutes which means it’s initially a big undertaking. But once you give this album the time of day it deserves it becomes very cohesive and works well as a whole.
This might not be your typical summer album, light and happy tunes for your backyard bonfire, but it’s definitely the type to be blasted through car stereos with windows down on a sticky summer night. It packs a punch and provides the angst to scream along with at the top of your lungs.
From the first notes of “Void,” listeners hear the intensity Separation brings. Things start simply with clear vocals from lead singer Jonathon Simmons, which can range from effortlessly sung to passionately screamed. The intensity of “Void” showcases the dark mood of this entire release and it seems to be a nod towards Balance and Composure’s earlier material which showcased heavier and somewhat darker hooks. Soon afterwards though we see the title track and “Quake” lighten things up with a more pop-punk feel. Simmons picks and chooses when to showcase his vocals, and on these two songs he definitely chose to feature guitar and drums. ”Stonehands” comes as a welcome moment to catch a breath, while “More To Me” starts as something similar but only for a while. The song takes off with heavy riffs and screaming vocals. No matter how Simmons chooses to sing his songs, the tone of his voice is always exactly what the song calls for: a sign of true musicianship.
Balance and Composure is arguably best when heavy and loud, but maybe that’s my inner angsty teen talking. ”I Tore You Apart In My Head,” “Fade” and “Patience” are some of my favorites and they’re the rockers of the album. Regardless, Separation has something for everyone and Balance and Composure fans both new and old can appreciate the variety of this album. I look forward to what the band puts out next.
Track listing:
1 Void
2 Separation
3 Quake
4 Stonehands
5 I Tore You Apart In My Head
6 Galena
7 Fade
8 Progress, Progress
9 More To Me
10 Echo
11 Patience
12 Defeat The Low
