okay, i picked up the new converge album today. i'm not too impressed. it sounds similar to "you fail me", which is a good thing, because i like the direction they took with that album, but it seems to me this new album is not so much a step backward, but not so much a step forward, either.

the recording is of good quality, a lot better than that mess "jane doe". i really like the jane doe album, but at times you couldn't hear the instruments distinctly. this album is clear, the "singing" (read: screaming) is good... a note on this, there is a song in which there is actual singing. the vocals were done by guitarist and main songwriter kurt ballou. i guess j. bannon just likes to stick to what he's good at: screaming like he's burning alive in line at the DMV.

there are a few standout tracks. i like the opening song, "heartache". "sacrifice" and "trophy scars" are among some of my other favs.

listen to the album on myspace. i don't know how long it will be up.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=103836067