The Civil Wars - The Civil Wars Album Review

Origin: Nashville, Tennessee

Genre: Americana/Folk/Alternative Country

Record Label: Columbia, Sensibility Records

Band Members: Joy Williams and John Paul White

 

After months of being on hiatus, The Civil Wars are back in the music scene with their new self-titled album. This album features twelve incredible and haunting tracks that are each filled with a story. Although many bands fail to make their sophomore album memorable, The Civil Wars have beaten the odds and made a remarkable sequel to Barton Hollow.

 

The album kicks off with the track entitled “The One That Got Away”. This song provides a strong, distinctive sound that sets up the tone for the rest of the tracks. Williams takes the lead with powerful vocals that harmonize flawlessly with White’s lower voice. With added instruments, this song delivers an edgy tone that remains throughout the album. White takes the lead on the second track of the album entitled “I Had Me a Girl”. His low tenor voice combined with his high falsetto creates a masculine, commanding energy to the country-rock song. Williams adds a sweeter tone that evens out the track and adds balance.

 

To add diversity, the duo winds down for a softer, melancholy track called “Tell Mama”. Lyrically enchanting, this song is as moving as it is dark. Williams performs with a more gentle approach that allows the listener to drift away. My favourite track on the album would have to be “Devil’s Backbone”. This song is badass on all levels, and the combination of the drums and the power behind the vocalists brought this song to life.

Although The Civil Wars are known for their soft, acoustic-folk sound, they have been experimenting more with country and rock genres that make this album truly unique. Each song told a vivid story, and the lyrics made their self-titled album dark and mysterious. This, in my opinion, is their best album yet.

The Civil Wars: 9.1/10

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This Counts For Everything! - Believe EP Review

Genre: Alternative Rock
Origin: Gilbert, Arizona
Record Label: Independent
Band Members: Justin, Malik, Chris, Andy, and Colten.

From Gilbert, Arizona is an edgy alternative rock band of five male members. This Counts for Everything has just recently released their EP Believe. This short but incredibly loud EP has a lot to offer the listener with its fast-paced instrumentals and rough vocals.

The tracks featured on this EP include “Wash You Away”, “Believe”, “Sorry, I’m Not Sorry”, and “Here I am”.

Sorry, I’m Not Sorry:
The first track starts the EP off with a bang, with its fast-paced beat and higher vocals from the lead singer. The theme of this song is obviously about a break-up, as it paints the image of a bitter end of a relationship. The lead guitarist is captivating during this track, with a unique guitar solo at the beginning of the track to lead the way for the rest of the instrumentalists and vocalist.
Sorry, I’m Not Sorry: 9/10

Here I am:

This track gives the album it’s meaning with inspirational lyrics, lighter instrumentals, and a brighter tone to the lead singer. While this song is lighter and more joyful, it maintains its alternative rock feel. The lyrics are well-written, and provide a comforting, encouraging sound. This track allows the EP to have some diversity within the second song, and that gives the fans what they want to hear.
Here I am: 9.3/10

Believe (Acoustic):
The second last track that was shown on the band’s EP was an acoustic version of the title track “Believe”. This was the slowest and most honest song on this EP, and it was a charming break to the harder songs that were featured.
Believe: 8.5/10

Wash You Away:
With harder instrumentals and darker vocals, Wash You Away sets the tone for the EP. Unique guitar solos and bass lines hold this track together for the lead singer to keep control with his deeper tenor vocals. While the song has a Yellowcard vibe, the band puts their own spin on things with mixing a lighter chorus with a darker verse.
Wash You Away: 8.5/10

Overall, This Counts For Everything! delivers a fun and entertaining EP, while maintaining honest and relatable lyrics. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Yellowcard, Jimmy Eat World, and other bands of the pop-punk genre.

Believe: 8.8/10

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