The Escape Frame

The Escape Frame's debut album was actually supposed to be released in 2007 but due to their old label, Immortal, folding, the record was postponed while the Alabama band searched for representation. They switched up their line-up, found a new label and finally got their shit together again and voila, their self-titled disc was released. This is an album for the kiddies; it's simple and sweet but it's what I like to call "pretentious emo." A brief history in emo shows this genre, often linked to broken-hearted boys with acoustic guitars, actually stems from hardcore punk and even gothic music before it evolved into the sappiness it is today. Every lyric and note in this record is intentional but it's designed to fit a formula of success they have inaccurately contructed in their minds. I'm a sucker for emo when it's done with passion but this album is 12 tracks (including a wimpy cover of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You") of pure wussiness. "The Same Light" is the only saving grace but even it's not enough to make me buy what the Escape Frame are selling.