Artist: Across Five Aprils
Album: Collapse
Label: Indianola
Tracks: 10
Length: 42:12
Review by: John Durkee

Whoever writes the lyrics for Across Five Aprils is really bitter. In fact, all of the songs on AFA’s new album Collapse are about a breakup. Most of these songs specifically mention the unfaithfulness of the other party; leading the vocalist to sing in anguish and pain and scream about his desire for his ex to experience pain as a punishment. This is what Collapse is all about.

Across Five Aprils have actually been around since 2001 and have released the LP, A Tragedy in Progress and their EP Living in the Moment as well as the ever so popular re-release of their debut. So in a way, AFA are seasoned vets in the punk meets metalcore genre of screamo, but since the band has changed many members since their debut they sound a bit different than their previous efforts, while remaining the same stylistically.

The main difference between Collapse and A Tragedy in Progress is the lack of distinctly unique moments. Tracks like “Pawn Shop Promises” from A Tragedy… with its fragility and evil sounding intro “You know you love… cause if you don’t, I’ll just have to kill you,” made that song so much more memorable and gave the lyrics more meaning. In fact, that one song’s take on the thought of loosing one’s virginity to someone who didn’t deserve it made the song that much more powerful and enjoyable. None such songs exist on Collapse and that really is a shame.

One of the other main differences between the two different albums is the fact that there seem to be much less of a metal influence on the new album which is replaced by squeaky clean production and a more pop punk sound to the record.

Perhaps the biggest flaw aside from how much the record blends together, is the fatalistic and urgently delivered screams. This seems to be a growing trend in screamo to have the vocals be delivered in a “You have no idea how much I’m suffering so I must scream at you hectically or else you’ll have no idea how I feel,” kind of vibe. With the success of bands like Underoath this isn’t a surprise, but such a vocal delivery is almost painful after a while. Many people go through pain and do feel as though they must scream in such a way, but unless you can relate that vocal delivery alienates the listener and tends to sound very immature. This is different than normal screaming though, as it has a hasty, spastic and urgent tendency that is disaffecting.

It should be noted that much of the sung vocals on Collapse are actually fairly decently well done, and in some ways better than AFA’s previous work. The melodies aren’t that memorable, but they are performed well, which is still much better than your typical screamo band.

All in all, Across Five Aprils new album Collapse is more of the same self-centered, depressed and bitter screamo that we all know. For those who enjoy this style, this is a decent CD, but otherwise, it gets old.