Release Date: Jun 26, 2007
Label: Warcon
Genres: Emo, Pop-Rock
Number Of Tracks: 11
My American Heart supplies more than just the usual emo faire on its 2nd release.
Hiding Inside The Horrible WeatherFeatured review by: UG Team, on july 09, 2007 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Rock purists have given emo bands a tough time in the past, but My American Heart attempts to show that they’ve got a little bit more to offer than just your average pop-rock song on its latest CD. While the San Diego band does remain true to the sound that originally gained them exposure, they surprisingly take a few left turns along the way on their 2nd release Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather. While there are more than a few tracks that could be interchangeable with a lot of emo songs out there, the band also offers up a bit of blues and straightforward rock flavor along the way.
The opening track “Boys! Grab Your Guns” unfortunately doesn’t set a huge impression musically. It is a catchy, fun track that is likely to appeal to it's current fan base, there isn’t a lot new happening in it. While it does showcase the strong vocals of Larry Soliman and thrives on it's catchy chorus, the band will explore a lot more interesting territory by the end of the CD.
You’re going to get quite a few tracks in the vein of “Boys! Grab Your Guns” on Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather, but it seems the quintet has an adventuresome side -- at least in terms of emo bands. “Dangerous” could fit into the traditional blues genre, with it's opening grooving bass line and restrained blues riffs. There are minimal effects on the guitars and the riffs are beautifully executed by Jesse Barrera and Matt Van Gasbeck. You don’t hear a lot of pop-rock bands actually tackling the blues, and hearing My American Heart’s solid effort is an extremely pleasant surprise. The band’s approach is a simple one, but that works to their advantage.
The band does seem to pull out more of the punches on the last half of the CD. “There Are More Frightening Things” is the edgiest song on the playlist, with a very cool riff that runs throughout that rarely lets up on the aggressive sound. “Moving On” is a fairly typical emo offering, but there is nice underlying keyboard section that is reminiscent of Motion City Soundtrack’s work. The synth work isn’t that prominent in the overall mixing, but it does add a bit more depth to the song. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: As you might expect, My American Heart does go to town writing about inner feelings and relationships. “The Shake (Awful Feeling)” is one of the first singles off the new CD, and it is exemplary of the love themes found throughout. Soliman sings, “Oh, the brilliant mistakes that you seem to make always push me away; And now you're steppin' on my feet, steppin' on my feet, cause you were never on my side.” The band does find new ways of wording songs about love, but it still might leave some listeners a bit bored.
The standout rock song “There Are More Frightening Things” thankfully uses lyrics that match well with the music. Rather than dishing out tales of inner angst, the band turns the theme outward to deride someone who apparently has made quite a mess of his/he life. Soliman sings, “They say man, let it die; But you’d rather walk away and pretend you strayed; But you walked away and you know you’re crazy.” My American Heart actually does a better job of phrasing the lyrics that deal with love or angst, but it is refreshing to hear something outside of the norm. // 7
Impression: Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather won’t appeal to everyone out there because there is still a strong emo feel present, but My American Heart should be applauded for it's attempt to try out a few different styles. Even with the more typical pop-rock songs like “The Shake (Awful Feeling),” the band does still find ways of keeping it interesting, whether it’s vocal styles or changing tempos.
The CD is worth sticking around till the end, which features one of the best tracks on the CD. “All My Friends” actually feels more like a track from one of Blind Melon’s records. It’s completely stripped-down, with only an acoustic, minimal percussion, and a bit of whistling at close of it. The track creates an instant impression, not to mention a satisfying -- and unexpected -- finish. // 8
Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather
Reviewed by:
imsexydonnie, on september 14, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Everyone listens to something different in a song. While one would be just captured by music and another by music and vocals, Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather will satisfy both. With guitarist Jesse Barreras inspirations and blues style, the music can give you something far different than what the lyrics can deliver. The alternatively down tuned guitars bring out a rich dark sound that progessively explode into a melodic chorus filled with emotion. While creativity doesn't stop with guitars, Percussion compliments the bands sound with vocalist Larry Solimans tambourine and the electronic drums in the intro of "Boys! Grab Your Guns". // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Unlike other bands in the genre, Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather captivates a youthful audience and tells the story of a few more issues than just failing relationships. The album concept leans to be more positive that derives from personal issues with band members and the band as a whole. Song meanings are strong on the record and describe what it's like to lose relationships you once had with those closest to you. Lyrics are catchy and well executed by Larry Soliman. While most songs on the album are fixed with the same meaning, each set of lyrics still has the ability to give the listener a different mood that is uncommon to the rest of the record. // 7
Impression: Sophomore albums are the make or breaking points for artists. My American Heart will definitely see the light at the end of the storm with Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather. While amazed by the catchy chorus of the single "The Shake (Awful Feeling)", you can still feel the emotion with beautifully rendered tracks like "Tired and Uninspired" & "There Are More Frightening Things". It is definitely impressive how a band can mature so much and still have so much youth to display. After seeing the change between Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather and previous release The Meaning In Makeup, this promises fans that the next album will be that much better. // 8
i hate it when people say stupid shit like "i hate emo kids" your grouping the few REAL emo kids with the ones who just listen to the music, and dress like an emo kid.
the1nonlycrazi why the hell did you come in here and read a review for an EMO band, if you "hate" EMO kids?
Sure MAH may have been what u'd call EMO in the PAST but with this new record they've proven that they have alot more to offer. MAH have a great sound and the musicianship, lyrics and singing have improved and they are one of the best bands in their genre.
**** all of you who call them "emo"
thats very 2004.
i bet you havent heard their music which is quite ignorant of you to put a band down you havent heard of.
the fact that theyre out there & your typing negative comments about bands is quite childish, go listen to your death metal now.
& meet My American Heart yourself before you call them "emo"
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! Haha, he's a pretty cool guy.
