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Its completely uncompromising yet melodic and accessible, I think. They are inventive with creating tasty depth & color with simple combining of elements.the (very hearable in the mix) bass, a solo guitar doing 2-string (maybe doubling the octave). Its pretty and moving. I listen to lyrics to heavy music usually as color, so I cant comment on them except to say they work well musically.I dont know what they did after this.Im sceptical about their later output.
Its hard to believe this record would even be released in christian bookstores its so full of self-loathing. I just threw it on randomly tonight and its still thrilling. No solo scale shredding here. Minus is a great instrumental.
When Marc sings on Devil "I hate who I am" it sound like the whole hosts of heaven and hell itself can hear him; its that brutal. chords on top. And no crazy compression jobs by the engineer.its absolutely heavy but you can hear the drums and bass distinctly with perfect production (I should check out producer Bryan Carlstom's other records). Theres alot of heart and passion, too, besides vitriol and rage and disgust.at times grandeour (At The Moment comes to mind). Im not religious anymore but I used to listen to this album alot when i was.
Stars & Clouds, the last track, is another example and it stands out in a different tone. Its really a ballad.Tracks 1-7: Not a moment will tempt you to do anything but keep listening straight through these, perhaps headbanging and pumping your fist. Then Burning Clean drags a bit but its fine, then Anna Thema picks it right back up again.with a killer outro riff which is a head-pounding variation on the main riff. Then the ballad I was just talking about is kinda beautiful. The arrangements get interesting sometimes. Lotsa doomy black sabbath riffs, but often sped up with punk energy--HUGE, epic, often scorching and they are ALWAYS right on the money. The 2nd record never grabbed me but could very well be a grower; at some point they lost this original guitarist and they went a different rock direction.
Mark Solomon's voice is one of my favorites and he really soars and always on interesting notes. Like on Loader, where the song segues into a different movement for the last half. Me, I like the purity of this doom style. Theres a quietness that shows here and there that makes the record feel sensitive & genuine.This one, along with all of Poor Old Lu's prime output, is the only "christian" music Im likely to throw on anymore.
In my opinion, this album helped the christian music industry to evolve into something cool and fierce. The shear number of great songs he has written as an indie artist (including his time with The Crucified) speak volumes. It's aggressive, and yet the lyrics are so powerful. Mark Salomon is an under rated music genius. His intensity and passion are undeniable. I would highly recommend this cd, and all Stavesacre albums.
As a huge fan of Stavesacre, it is tempting to elaborate on the bands incredible talent for song writing and incredibly emotional and moving lyrics. They combine excellent musicianship with sobering lyrics on softer songs such as At The Moment, Stars and Clouds, and Burning Clean. Then Stavesacre can switch gears and let out a blistering, brutal sonic attack in the form of songs such as Threshold, Tranewreck, and Loader. Friction is Stavesacre's incredible debut album, and it in my opinion is possibly their best release (this or Speakeasy). Overall, this is an incredible release, although it may take some time to get used to their more punk influenced songs. Hearing the more calm, smooth songs first hooked me on Stavesacre, but once you aquire the taste, their intense, thrash influenced side is equally enjoyable. However, i only have 1000 words. I honestly almost cried the first time I listened to Burning Clean, as it has very impacting lyrics.
This CD melds the two almost perfectly. You could use the cliche that this CD sounds like two different bands, but Stavesacre somehow manages to retain a intangible cohesive element through their diverse style. Stavesacre completes the album with the incredibly simple but beautiful "Minus", an instrumental that somehow has an emotional impact that connects very effectively with the listener through its simple melody. Make yourself listen to this CD until its full power hits you.
It's not often you hear a positive message presented with the breadth and power heard here; Stavesacre's music is thick and heavy and I think they are one of the most thought-provoking bands out there along with Sunny Day Real Estate and King's X. This disc is a jem from beginning to end. Essential for fans of hard rock/hard core.
"Stars and Clouds" is a ten minute opus that throws in a little of a prog rock feel to an already diverse album. There's the soaring melody and chill-inducing lyrics of "At The Moment".
This is probably one of the best debut albums I've ever heard, ranking just under Weezer's blue album. Stavesacre is one of the best rock bands on the planet, combining melody, power, and emotion, and excelling in musicianship and lyricism.
Every song on here is excellent. Taking notes from bands like Quicksand, Far, and Helmet, Stavesacre creates accessible post hardcore rock.
However, they perfectly execute the sound that the afforementioned innovators were trying to reach, and it only took them one album to do it. "Loader" is driving and aggressive, with a great hook to boot.
A highly recommended album for musical innovation, lyrical inspiration, and spiritual reflection.
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