Band : We Were Skeletons
Album : We Were Skeletons
Release Year : 2010
Genre : Screamo
Tracklist :
1. Drawn From The Houses I've Burnt
2. Exposure To Heavy Metal Causes Whatever
3. Pudge Paws
4. It's Like Science
5. Kids
6. Her Stomach Is A Lioness
7. Bruce Willis Is Dead The Whole Time
8. This Destroys Us
9. Well, I Did Spend A Year In College
We Were Skeletons are a bunch of young bucks from Lancaster, PA who play loud music for reluctant listeners. Their songs sound like a mix of Capsule, The Kidcrash, Yage, and Off Minor, but probably aren’t nearly as awesome as that mix sounds.
The album elicits some mixed feelings. As they mimic the best of the genre, the band is incredibly derivative of Off Minor, Hot Cross and Kidcrash. It’s tough to pin this as simply a negative aspect to the record, though, as We Were Skeletons show some dexterity in maneuvering around these bands' particular styles without coming across as excruciatingly trite- an accomplishment in itself. Moving to a nice studio with Will Killingsworth (Orchid, Ampere) has done wonders; every transition, every striking note the screams hit, translates beautifully. Aggressive and unrelenting, if there’s one distinctive to We Were Skeletons’ sound, as derivative as it may be at times, it’s the youthful energy. Ranging from 18-20 years old, the band isn’t shy about hiding its’ exuberant take on the genre. Providing the messy, hardcore aesthetic with some authenticity can never go wrong, in my book.
This, the youthful ebullience and sincerity in which their self-titled is approached, is what saves We Were Skeletons. What could have come off as imitative and hackneyed is instead hopeful, and there truly is a few unique moments on the record that give ample proof that Skeletons aren’t simply following footsteps, but have it in them to carve their own path... eventually. Right now, the aggressive, unrelenting, and surprisingly technically proficient We Were Skeletons is more than enough to impress this new fan. Simply put, if you often find yourself dismayed with monotony in screamo, you may want to stay away from We Were Skeletons; but at the same time, keep the name fresh in your mind. If Skeletons decide to add a little more of their own style to the mix of things on the next try, I can all but guarantee spectacular results. On the other hand, if your Heat Death of the Universe is really starting to show some wear and tear from all those plays you’ve put it through, then look no further than We Were Skeletons to provide some fresh and needed tunes to scream along to while driving a little too fast on these hot summer nights.
