Grace Hotel
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Album Reviews

Right from the opening track I was blown away. It’s quite emo-tastic, but I’ll be damned if they don’t rock out, like, all the time. Imagine them taking the most recent Jimmy Eat World album (formerly Bleed American), with influences from Clarity and Static Prevails, as well as some influences from the likes of Dashboard to Knapsack, throwing in some awesome spacey-sounding guitar work, then kicking its ass. You would have these guys. In the indierock/emo world, this is top notch. The lyrics of course deal mostly with ‘emo’ subjects, such as lost love, misdirected love, girls, shoulda called you/had you/loved you, equating the beauty of a woman to inanimate objects, drugs, and cars. In the anthemic ode to the ‘friend zone,’ “Barbara’s Birthday,” finds the Heroes lamentfully proclaiming ‘It seems like/I’ll always be/the ‘other guy’.’ Next the album moves into some pop-punk rock-out intro to the eventually upbeat single ‘Mercedes Baby.’ Then we hit what I consider to be the highlight of the album. Not that it’s better than every other song, because there is no worst or best track on this album, they are all equally amazing. But the instrumental that is track 4 leading up to ‘The Drugs The Drugs’ is just amazing. The Intrumental is just nothing but sonic goodness, it just makes you want to stare at the ceiling, and the way that ‘The Drugs The Drugs’ starts out in the same vein that the instrumental leaves off… brilliant. I know I’m only through track 5 and I’ve written this much, so to save everyone, the rest of the album is just like the first 5, so imagine I just wrote this two more time about the following 8 tracks. I do have to mention that in ‘Something of an Optimist,’ the chorus sounds eerily like Built to Spill’s song ‘Else’ off their amazing album ‘Keep it like a Secret’.

The harmonies are beautiful. The guitar work is amazing. Although, they only have one guitar player, which is the singer, so the thought of their live show leaves me a little skeptical, unless they bring a touring guitarist, too. The production sounds real good. The bass player lays some damn fine foundation, and the drums hit hard. It’s not Clarity, but in my book it ranks a bit above Bleed American, and is a damn fine testament to the emo world. I know it’s only been 21 days, but this is best album I’ve heard so far in 2003. But the good thing is, is that I’ll be listening to it for a long time to come.

 ~ Seth

This Columbus, Ohio based trio released their Emo-core, pop tinged offering What You Want is Now on December 31st, 2002. Stacked with 13 solid songs, the album is a must have for anyone who enjoys Emo infused with some grittier pop sounds. The band itself advertises its music as " For fans of Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, The Juliana Theory, and Dashboard Confessional." After listening to the album carefully, these comparisons are certainly not a far fetch. While a majority of the songs on What You Want is Now have a moderate edge to them, some of the slower, darker ballads such as "Uncomfortable", and even the faster "Kamikaze Baby", have a definite Emo flavor reminiscent of Dashboard and the Juliana Theory. On the other hand, some of the more up-beat songs such as "Nobody Love No One" and "Barbara’s Birthday" could easily be cousins to a Jimmy Eat World tune. One thing that especially struck me about this record is that the band seemingly took every opportunity to display their musicianship. Several of the songs open with long musical intros, or spotlight cool guitar and bass solos. There is even a completely instrumental piece called "Untitled." The bottom line? House of Heroes may not be the most original sound to ever come down the pike, but they know their niche and they play it well. Vocally and instrumentally solid, What You Want is Now is an easy and enjoyable listen for fans of Emo-pop and the like

~ julie Steffen