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Despite
al my bitching about hardcore music I am happy with the
abundance of hardcore bands that adhere to a sound
that’s far removed from those of burly, macho insecure
man hardcore bands, like say, many a New York and Boston
bands. Anyway, that’s just constant bitching on my side.
What I am digging about this California band is the
abrasiveness of their sound; their troubled melodies and
in your face angst so clearly pressed into the acetate.
Maybe it is
the delicious hiss of vinyl, but the riffs are not so
translucent. Plus, with two guitarists there is certain lack of
clarity that works on The Separation’s favor. As such, some of
the tunes seem not convoluted, but charged with certain drama.
The vocals seem to evidence that; Ben, simply Ben, ain’t
breaking any rules but his passion is clear, his rasp is raw and
the pain is all over. Song titles also evidence The Separation’s
attitude; “Unanswered Prayers”, “Lament” and “In the Absence of
Light” are just a few.
By the end
of the first half and well into the second The Separation show
that they can’t only be a somber hardcore band, but that they
can slow it down and border into what could be described as
doom-core, “A Refusal” is just that. If you lighten up the sound
and strip the vocals to its sole melody “The Cost of Your
Pleasure” could mean that The Separation are flirting with post
rock. The density of this record is great though and that’s
enough for certain arrangements not to fall into the so hated
post rock camp.
The vinyl
version of No Exit comes in red. Vinyl rules!
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