Although this band's name, The Saddest Landscape, screams of generic fake "emo" pop like Taking Back Sunday, they are not what their name might allude to. I think the term "emo" has been so widely abused and linked to so many crap laden pop acts that real emo bands are being lost on side and not taken as seriously, especially when they are called an emo band. The Saddest Landscape's newest effort, Lift Your Burdens High For This Is Where We Cross, is full of emotion and power. I feel that their records would sound the same if I saw them live. They give it their all in the record studios, especially the vocal side of it all. The lead singer sounds so drained that he is putting all he has into each song and that is great and refreshing to hear. They are raw. That is the best way to put it. They play a real style of emo that pulls from the mid eighties roots and the early nineties screamo explosion but also have a very distinct hardcore sound mixed in. The real emo style seems to be making some sort of comeback and I welcome it with open arms. If you are a fan of emo and bands like The Swing Kids, The Still Life and Orchid you will probably love The Saddest Landscape. It's only a seven song ep though so it gets a half star cut off.
3.5/4
Similar sounding releases
2004The National AcrobatThe Complete Recordings
2005Boy Sets FireBefore the Eulogy
2002The BlamedGive Us Barabbas
2004Hot CrossFair Trades and Farewells
2004The Nation BlueDamnation
2002Love Is RedAll That's Ahead Points To Forever
