With a name like Scary Kids Scaring Kids it's not hard to guess what style of music these Arizona locals play. A poignant blend of heart-on-their-sleeve screamo meets sappy emo, the music is the same kind of moody, abrasive Myspace-friendly rock that bands like Underoath, Thursday and Dead Poetic have been churning out as of late.
Chockfull of blatantly emphatic vocals with lyrics cheesy enough to suggest pop-punk mediocrity, there's really nothing here that hasn't been heard before. The bands defining factor is mainly their three guitar line-up and occasional synth contributions, but even these are woefully under-utilized and come nowhere near the rich atmospherics one would expect from such additions. Nope, instead up for grabs are mopey heart-felt ballads, bratty punk-metal screamfests and a lot of effeminate choruses.
Half bouncy, half dissonant, all the while staying both breezy and noisy in the same, there isn't anything outright wrong with "The City Sleeps In Flames" per say. Instrumentally it's actually even quite sound with solid song progression and musical cohesion present. It's just that as a complete package it lacks anything that sets it apart. Basically, those looking for more of the same will be ecstatic, while those who already grew out of this style of when it reached its creative peak 2 or 3 years back will barely bat an eye.
(2.5 / 5)
wookubus