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7 out of 10
The Status hail from Atlanta, Georgia and are regarded as a promising up and coming group amongst the vanguard of US Post Punk bands. Not only are they cohorts of Bayside but they are managed by lead singer Anthony Raneri and hold the credentials of having toured with the who's who of contemporary Punk bands, including Taking Back Sunday. Their sound on this latest release, "So This Is Progress", is a melodic yet relentless one, occasionally falling into a harder, darker realm: rolling, abrasive, like an out of control eighteen wheeler with whining, strangled guitar riffs blaring out of its sound system as it thunders down US Interstate-85.
The first track "Can You Hear Me" kicks out the jams and sets the ball rolling with angry treble heavy bass, stark palm mute guitar and gutsy vocals. "America" is one of the standout tracks on the first half of the record, sounding vaguely like Fall Out Boy with the lyrics describing an insomnia plagued existence in the suburbs of America's great cities, yet offering a dystopian commentary on the current state of affairs as opposed to a cut and paste salute. "Got Me Where The Heart Is" has some pleasing harmonies and decent dynamics as the song rises and falls in crescendos, from sweet melodies to bitter, biting distortion. The melodies are so soft at certain points that they made me think "Dawson's Creek" (whatever happened to the guy who played Dawson? Did he really have a sex change?). So sentimental and caressing yet steadily building up to a more aggressive pace.
"Perfect Day", however, sounds nothing like Lou Reed.
"If There's Love" is gentler and more sedate, though I would not go as far to describe it as Emo. Much like "Got Me Where The Heart Is" it slowly elevates to a familiar level of angry Pop Punk energy, but stands apart if only for the tasteful use of a chorus effect on the guitar part. "Get Back On Your Feet" is more in your face, seemingly reminiscent of the hard edged sound of The Distillers or the sinister undertones of Alkaline Trio with crunchy palm muted riffs topped with spacey lead parts, tight drum beats and creative but not over the top production. "This Is Progress", the quasi title track is much of the same, but seems to have someone else singing some of the verses which make for a good contrast and a further dynamic to add to the list. "I Was Sinking" is the final acoustic number, uncannily similar to how Bayside close their most recent offering "Shudder" with an acoustic piece. However The Status does not have a similar Gypsy vibe to their acoustic offering, instead being a good old lament on an acoustic guitar, an exercision of a bitter demon burning in one's gut. Good solid drum beats back the morose lyrics about standing alone in a storm, closing your eyes but not being able to escape your own mind. The Radioheadesque lead parts float and swirl around in the background, lulling you into a paralysis as the production gives a distinct sense of distance. It is stripped, raw and blatant, like the rest of the record albeit without the same power yet sharing the versatility that sets The Status apart from their counterparts in that each track is not just another 3 minute Punk number, but something a little special, exhibiting ideas and details that catch your attention and hold it as the eighteen wheel crashes onto into the night.
Fun facts about Atlanta:
- It is reputedly the fastest growing city in the megalopolis that spans across the Eastern seaboard of the USA
- It possesses the world's largest aquarium. The Status has probably never played there.
- It is a sister city of Daegu, South Korea and Newcastle, UK.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thestatus
Tracklist:
1. Can You Hear Me
2. America
3. Got Me Where The Heart Is
4. If There’s Love
5. Perfect Day
6. Get Back On Your Feet
7. Waiting
8. This Is Progress
9. Not Goodbye
10. At Best I Think I’ve Broken
11. Why Are You So Sad
12. I Was Sinking
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