Upon listening to this album there are two things that become immediately clear. The first is that this is by no means "A Change Of Pace" as the bands name seems to imply. The second is that this is an offer that is easily refused. With Immortal Records behind them, A Change Of Pace have seen fit to put out an album derivative of nearly any screamo/emo hybrid band that has made its bank off of MTV2 or graced the pages of "Alternative Press" in recent months.
Syrupy lovelorn choruses heavy on processed emotion writhe overtop of guitar-driven pop-punk while a few chunky riffs and throaty screams occasionally make their presence felt. Despite the vocals having an earnest quality about them, the general structuring and lackadaisical flow of the songs feels far too cookie cutter to deserve any form of recognition. Even the addition of strings and forced moments of introspection pack little inspiration or lasting appeal.
On paper A Change Of Pace are a band who possess all of the elements for success in the now mediocre world of screamo. But when it comes down to the actual end result, there just isn't anything here worth the listeners time. Faceless, bouncy faux emotion with faint traces of metal and pop-punk that seems desperate to land a hit single is about all that this outfit seem capable of mustering up, and none of it is memorable. A perfect release for those under 15 who update their Myspace page daily and nearly a complete waste of time for anyone else.
(1.5 / 5)
wookubus