Vagrant Records has long been the home of such artists as The Get Up Kids, Reggie and the Full Effect, The Alkaline Trio, and now most notably Dashboard Confessional. While the label has been a stepping-stone for artists like Saves The Day who went on to sign with DreamWorks, others have gone on unnoticed.
The grandfathers of Vagrant, No Motiv, were the first to ever sign with the label back in 1999. They have been quietly in the background since, releasing two L.P.'s and one E.P. and most recently, Daylight Breaking. After listening to this latest release, I have come to the conclusion that there is a conspiracy against the guys in No Motiv. This record proves my theory--how is it that these guys are going unnoticed?
It has been two years since we have heard from No Motiv. There have been some changes in the line up. Founding member and drummer Pat Pedraza left the fold. Bassist Roger Camero moved behind the kit. Long time tour manager Jeff Hershey took on the role of bassist. The rest of the band remains the same with Max McDonald on guitar, and vocalist/guitarist Jeremy Palaszewski.
Now on to the sound--definitely different from the previous efforts, but all for the better. They took over and exclusively produced their album. A much more mature, darker No Motiv has surfaced.
The opening track 'Independence Day' starts Daylight Breaking off with Palaszewski singing 'it's getting complicated, I'm finding it difficult to go'. His voice couldn't sound any better. Has it really been two years?
The album moves on furiously with 'Into The Darkness' a song that is more punk than rock. You cannot help but to sing along to 'Grey Notes Fall'. 'Where Did You Go' and 'Audition' really showcase the growth of No Motiv, both songs being more mid-tempo rock songs. The album picks back up with 'Fall From Grace' which reminds me of earlier efforts, with gang vocals on the chorus screaming, 'Is this all we have to show'? In 'Death By Numbers' they incorporate a drum effect, which is looped behind the vocals and dramatically gets louder and louder to add to the songs dynamics. The album wraps up strongly with 'Robot Eyes' a song about a son that blindly follows overbearing parents and the result it breeds.
Although most of the content is about broken relationships, regrets and depression, there is a redemptive quality in all of the songs, and the closing track does a great job to leave the listener with hope. In 'Life Goes On'--quite possibly one of the most accessible tracks on the album, Palaszewski sings, 'You'll be alright take it easy, don't let these hardships bring you down, because times like these will come around, believe me things will be okay'.
This isn't the same No Motiv from previous records, it's a bigger, darker, and more intense version of the band this time around. No Motiv is back, and back with a vengeance.
3.5/4
Similar sounding releases
2003Jane's AddictionStrays
2005The Juliana TheoryDeadbeat Sweetheartbeat
2004AshMeltdown
2004Breaking BenjaminWe Are Not Alone
2005The Black MariaLead Us To Reason
2003SpitalfieldRemember Right Now
