Dear Life - Framework Review
Posted by Dan Marsicano on 06.24.2008
Hardcore band Dear Life are promising newcomers in the scene and looking to make an impact with their debut album Framework. What can hardcore fans expect from the Californian quintet?
The Band
Kevin Castellon-Vocals
Vincent Apostol-Guitar
Daniel Moran-Guitar
Michael Trujillo-Bass, Vocals
Matthew Apostol-Drums
The Track Lisiting
1. Speaking Volumes-3:36
2. Prophets-2:45
3. Our Defining Moment-4:09
4. Puppy Mills Bred Misery-4:49
5. The Architect-3:41
6. Embrace-1:40
7. Icebergs-3:08
8. Between Friend and Foe-4:05
9. Loss For Words-4:21
10. Framework-3:58
The Review
Dear Life is a hardcore quintet formed in 2003 in Hacienda Heights, California. For the past couple of years, the band has used MySpace and gone on tour supporting big-name bands like Every Time I Die. Finally being signed to Uprising Records, the five young guys have released their debut album, Framework. The album packs quite a wallop in its short running length, with breakdowns galore, a solid bass presence, and some technical riffing.
“Speaking Volumes” is the perfect title for the opening track. The song is a hardcore monster, with Castellon screaming his lungs out and Trujillo letting loose on the bass, providing a mini-solo in the bridge that pierces through the wall of sound. “Prophets” continues what the opening track started, with a quick pace brought on by the rhythm section and the utilization of clean vocals in the chorus. The fast pace is evident throughout Framework, even near the end of the album. “Iceburgs” is a dark song, with jagged guitar riffs and pounding double bass work from Matthew Apostol.
Another characteristic of hardcore music is the use of gang vocals to evoke a “we can overcome” feeling to the music. Dear Life knows this, which is what makes “Our Defining Moment” and “Puppy Mills Bred Misery” more memorable. These songs would not be out of place on a Hatebreed album. Actually, in hindsight, many of these songs contain the uplifting message and hopeful outlook that made Hatebreed stand out amongst the hordes of hardcore band. Death seems to be a constant factor in the lyrical content as well, with “Loss For Words” being a prime example:
“Taken away not by death, but by life
One final embrace, one last goodbye
Thirteen years in one moment, brother”
The album may only be 36 minutes long, but the band never lets up, with the exception of two melodic tracks. “Embrace” and the title track seem to be connected, both musically and lyrically. Both tracks share the same lyrics (“Embracing the plans we hold of what’s to come, only we can rebuild, or tear them down”) and feature bassist Michael Trujillo on lead vocals. While both tracks are separated by a few songs, listening to both back to back gives the tracks a complete feel, as if it was one song cut into two. “Embrace” seems to be the calm first half of the song, as heavy use of synthesizer and clean electric guitars soothes the listener, while the title track continues this feeling of calmness before an explosive finish, with gang vocals and a brutal minute and a half instrumental outro.
Even with these excellent tracks, the album suffers from the same problem many modern hardcore bands have: repetition. A lot of the tracks are similar sounding to each other and, obviously, if you are not a fan of breakdowns, you won’t like Framework. The two melodic tracks above help out a bit, but some of the songs go on for a bit too long. It should be an unwritten rule that hardcore songs should be no more than three and a half minutes.
Kevin Castellon has the standard hardcore bark/scream that gets to be occasionally monotonous. Vincent Apostol and Daniel Moran keep the riffs coming and even get a bit technical from time to time, but mostly stay with melodic, yet heavy, guitar work. Michael Trujillo and Matthew Apostol are a steady rhythm section, with both members getting their moments to shine on Framework. Trujillo, in particular, seems to be let loose by the band several times, with several bass leads present in the first half of the album.
Framework is a promising debut for Dear Life and one that should get them noticed in the underground hardcore scene. I don’t see them hitting it big in the mainstream with this album, but the potential is there for the quintet. The band has talent, but they need to work on their songwriting skills a bit. Some of the songs drag on for too long or are boggled down by constant breakdowns, with no clear direction. Dear Life is a band you should watch out for, as they could be a major powerhouse in the hardcore community if they continue working on their craft.
The 411: Framework is a solid debut, one that shows tons and tons of potential from Dear Life. The tracks are heavy, catchy, and have that feel to it that is both empowering and inspiring. Like most debut albums, Framework isn't perfect, but the band can work on their songwriting and improve their core sound. Any fan of hardcore music will find a debut album with a message behind it.
