There's a lack of dynamism in the songwriting on No Future, the latest release from Wisconsin band Conveyer.
The ironically titled "Dust" introduces the record with atmospheric lead guitars and is liberated by well-executed clean and "gang" vocal performance, but it immediate demonstrates some of the record's problems; the interesting intro vocals are quickly lost behind trudging rhythm parts and monotone screaming. The song says so much, but does so little, a problem throughout the record.
No Future plays very one-dimensionally. There are moments where harsher clean vocals ("New Low") and chugging breakdowns ("Disgrace") bring light to greying song structures, but none of the tracks offer diversity. And when Conveyer do try — there's a daring and different attempt at a poppy chorus on "Tunnel Vision" — it's not quite successful.
That said, there are enjoyable moments here. "Levity," carried by powerful screamed vocals, two-step transitions and shining melody, is the song this record desperately needed, and the title track is heavier than the rest, performed with a shade of anger otherwise unheard. The first single "Whetstone" has an intense delivery similar to that of ex-labelmates Counterparts. The crisp production on "Drift" recalls Continuance/Means records. Conveyer seem to be at their best when they are ripping off the top shelves of their genre.
"Parting Words" finds the band trying to give a listener some closure, but by that point, most listeners will have lost interest. No Future offers too little to be truly captivating.
(Victory)The ironically titled "Dust" introduces the record with atmospheric lead guitars and is liberated by well-executed clean and "gang" vocal performance, but it immediate demonstrates some of the record's problems; the interesting intro vocals are quickly lost behind trudging rhythm parts and monotone screaming. The song says so much, but does so little, a problem throughout the record.
No Future plays very one-dimensionally. There are moments where harsher clean vocals ("New Low") and chugging breakdowns ("Disgrace") bring light to greying song structures, but none of the tracks offer diversity. And when Conveyer do try — there's a daring and different attempt at a poppy chorus on "Tunnel Vision" — it's not quite successful.
That said, there are enjoyable moments here. "Levity," carried by powerful screamed vocals, two-step transitions and shining melody, is the song this record desperately needed, and the title track is heavier than the rest, performed with a shade of anger otherwise unheard. The first single "Whetstone" has an intense delivery similar to that of ex-labelmates Counterparts. The crisp production on "Drift" recalls Continuance/Means records. Conveyer seem to be at their best when they are ripping off the top shelves of their genre.
"Parting Words" finds the band trying to give a listener some closure, but by that point, most listeners will have lost interest. No Future offers too little to be truly captivating.