Silverstein - This is How the Wind Shifts REVIEW

              2013, for what it's worth, is promising to be one hell of a year. Whether it's the fact that we all survived the apocalypse, or the fact that every band ever is releasing a record this year (more so the latter, let's be honest), we have a lot in store for us. With that being said, opening the celebrations along with Hatebreed's The Divinity of Purpose comes Silverstein, with their fifth studio album This is How the Wind Shifts, a concept album exploring multiple outcomes of different situations. Indeed, each pair of seventh songs (1st and 8th, 2nd and 9th, etc.) deals with the same situation, but with a different resolution.

           While 2011's Rescue had its moments, including a stellar guest appearance by Anthony Raneri on 'Texas Mickey' and mosh anthem 'The Artist', it was ultimately a mixed bag, criticized for its seemingly eclectic collection of songs. This is How the Wind Shifts is anything but. Retaining their emotional-tinged lyrics and melodic instrumentals, the album nevertheless packs an energetic punch as frontman Shane Told masterfully melds clean and unclean vocals. Supported by the guitarwork of Paul-Marc Rousseau and Josh Radford - who vary up the tempo and dynamics of every song. Meanwhile, Paul Koehler's talent as a drummer continues to shine through as he never lets up the relentless beat, mercilessly pummeling the hi-hat and snare.
            'On Brave Mountains We Conquer' melds dissonant guitars with Told's uncleans, creating a mesmerizing sound. The song ultimately bends in the direction of clean vocals, but that doesn't make it softer by any stretch of the imagination. The breakdown is perfectly hyped up, and the band's choice to include chords past the fourth fret is utterly refreshing.
             I previously discussed 'Massachusetts' in an older post. Without completely repeating myself, this is an incredible song. The delicate equilibrium between cleans and uncleans is masterfully worked, and the instrumentals mold themselves about it, bringing in a chilling melody during the clean chorus. I find myself singing along to 'With Northern Massachusetts on his knees to stay...' more often than not.
              'A Better Place', the album's requisite breakup song, supersedes previous Silverstein anthems ('Discovering the Waterfront', 'Burning Hearts', etc.) as Told ruminates 'I can't be spoken for anymore...' and heightens the emotion with soaring cleans.
               Indeed, the band as a whole has matured. As an album, it's lyrically far less melodramatic (Arrivals and Departures (2007) made me wince a few times) and even though it remains pessimistic, there's a little spark of hope in every song. Instrumentally, the band has graduated from cliche bar chords to melodic licks and complex riffs.
               As the 'story' (group of seven songs) progresses, the band goes from angry and energetic to pensive and resigned - 'Arrivals', which ties up the first 'part', is a song of regret over a breakup. It's short and sweet, wasting no time in beginning the next set of seven songs. 'In a Place of Solace', opening with a slow, thick guitar portion (which almost reminds me of Every Time I Die's 'Roman Holiday'), contrasts brilliantly with the slow, soft previous few songs. 'In a Place of Solace' drags a little bit, but 'In Silent Seas We Drown' returns to the energy.
                However, after 'Silent Seas', the album noticeably mellows out - 'Departures' and
'With Second Chances' feature reverberating guitars and slow, melodic passages. The former, in particular, ends the entire album gently - a rarity in current -core music. From start to finish, This is How the Wind Shift encompasses an entire spectrum of emotion, never letting up or slacking off.
              The album is fourteen incredible songs, a prime example that thirteen (thirteen) years of experience have not been wasted. The idea is original enough, and makes for an interesting experience when you listen to each set of two songs. There's a lot of thought put into every line, every riff, and every beat. Pop influences are used sparingly, and melded beautifully with the hardcore tinge the band has made famous. Simply said, this is an incredible album, and one I'm going to be listening to for quite some time. Pick this one up.

             This is How the Wind Shifts will be released on February 5th, via Hopeless Records.