Touche Amore, Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me

If you've never heard of LA based hardcore outfit Touché Amore you've been missing a tasty little musical treat. While you might accuse them of being 'hardcore for people who don't like hardcore' with their slightly more garage-punk style that doesn't mean they're not worth a listen. In fact, I’d say it makes them an Ideal band for someone just getting into hardcore. After all, going from listening to The Smiths to Judge all in one go is a pretty big ask…

This album, with its awkwardly wordy title, is Touché Amore’s latest offering and I'd say after a few listens it will probably win them more and more fans. It takes everything the band are known for, short, sharp songs with buzzsaw guitars and condenses it. There is only a single track over two minutes long and the whole thing packs a punch well above its short running time.

In a way, it feels more like you're listening to a live show that a full studio LP at times and considering the whole thing was recorded (live) in only five days, that isn't so surprising. Tracks such as 'Crutch' and 'Pathfinder' pop and fizz with energy, shifting between guitar trash mode and discordant breakdowns. The lyrics are another matter; this isn't your standard hardcore anger. Imagine a pissed off kid shouting at you with a dictionary and you'll have a good idea of what’s going on.

As a whole then, a very solid album that is possibly the band doing what they do at their best. If you're new to the band this it'll be a perfect place to start. If you're already a fan you'll still find everything you expect and more.

And that's that.