Artist: Cauterize
Album: Disguises
Label: High4Records
Purchase: Kill the 8
Release Date: June 12, 2007
Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 7.0
This pop rock band just released it’s 3rd album, Disguises, on June 12th, 2007 to some very anxious fans. The album opens with “Love in The Attic” which begins with a steely drum/guitar solo. I rolled my eyes at the expectation of another average rock song, but was happily surprised when the vocals chimed in. Lead vocalist Jesse Smith’s smooth yet powerful voice was actually a perfect match for the song, giving it everything that it lacked. Had he added anymore emotion to his voice, the song would have been too overpowered with vocals and intstrumentals. The 2nd song “Closer”, however, strayed away from the preconceived “pop” genre, flashing a fuller rock sound, but straining his voice in the middle.
By the proceeding song “Don’t Stop Now”, Cauterize slowly gets back to their pop beginning and even has momentary acoustic vocals paired with melodic backings. Strangely, I enjoyed the next 2 songs, “Minor Key Symphony” and “Dare to Scream”, because they begin traveling towards a soft rock and consistent sound. Upon review of the album, it seemed to me that the band refused to stick with one genre in their songs and instead introduced a vast variety among the tracks.
This little skipping game continues throughout the rest of the CD, with an adequate amount of heavier songs splashed with the refreshing handful of mellow tunes. “Paper Wings” and “Porcelain” stand out on the album as being the most acoustic and slow of all the tracks, and render me quite favorable towards the difference in sound.
Someone had told me the Cauterize had been riding on the edge of pre-famosity for quite a while, yet they never managed to reach the upper level for some reason. After listening to the songs numerously, I realized why.
This band does not really have a distinguishable overall sound.
The fan pool is seemingly split when some adore the slow melodies and others love the heavier rock. As many times as I listened to the entire album, I did not feel anything emotionally, which I think is due to unoriginality in some of their songs. Don’t get me wrong you hardxcore Cauterize fans, some songs were extremely heartfelt, but for the most part I felt like I was listening to same old fluff. The few stand out tracks provided an interest hook for listeners, but the rest of the album overall seemed to reach no true depth. If they choose a concrete genre and apply it to all of their songs I am sure we would see them rise up through the ranks quicker. While they already have an unquestionably grand fan base, their potential should surely earn them more.
Track Listing:
1. Love In The Attic
2. Closer
3. Don’t Stop Now
4. Minor Key Symphony
5. Dare You To Scream
6. The Devil In Lace
7. Porcelain
8. Wake To The Sun
9. Slivers
10. Tremble
11. Miracles Or Medicine
12. Paper Wings
you can’t win eh?
people bitched that SFFR was like 12 of the same song and then bitch that Disguises is too many different types of songs…
what’s wrong with being diverse? it shows you’re ACTUALLY a GOOD musician!
I would have to agree with Sheila, that being diverse is important in a band; diversity allows for room to grow. And the fact that Cauterizes “genre” isn’t necessarily set in stone is no big deal–we still like NOFX even tho they play punk, pop-punk, ska, latino, and whatever else they can think of. But it’s not okay for Cauterize to be a little off center? I guess, however, we are all entitled to our opinions.
I thought to have “pop roots” you had to originally come from a “pop” background?
“If only they choose a genre that works for them and apply that to all of their songs. I am sure we would see them rise up through the ranks quickly.”
So they should turn into Nickelback/Evanescense or Linkin Park?
An btw, i REALLY dont think the fanbase is split between loving the slow songs, and loving the harder rock songs.
We love them ALL.
I found it really odd that the reviewer says they should focus on one sound yet lists “Paper Wings” and “Porcelain” as his favourite songs. If anything, those are the two most out-there songs on the CD.
i think it was a well done review, maybe shoulda been given a tad bit higher 😛 although it is true that most bands need to be different in their music to be famous. same old music over and over again is boring lol
This is a ridiculous review.
There is nothing fluffy about Cauterize.
Their “overall” sound is rock.
Why do people ALWAYS try to put band into genres? Cauterize are a ROCK band. And like every other ROCK band out there, they have fast and slow songs.
The reason why they never reached the “upper level” is because they used to be on a terrible record label. (Wind Up.)
And if you didn’t feel anything emotionally while listening to this CD, then clearly you had your head up your arse. Jesse Smith is one of the best songwriters out there. And as far as their “unoriginality” goes…Who the hell nowadays IS original???? Every band copies another band out there. There is no such thing as original anymore.
Ugh. I get SO mad when I read reviews like this.
Its been too many years to remember when I first heard Cauterize. Their sound from back in the day hasn’t changed too much and for most part thats a good thing. The band really stood out for me when I first heard them but over time I slowly stopped listening to them. I agree that they were on a crappy label and didn’t get the push they deserved. Hopefully this time around things are better for them and they get more exposure. Cauterize isn’t for everyone and for a first time listener the mix of fast and mellow might be the part that makes or breaks their decision on the band.
I think Disguises is Cauterize’s most diverse album to date. I’m sure the original reviewer would agree, however I disagree that this is a bad thing.
Each song sits up and speaks for itself, and could stand independantly as fine musicianship.
I have a strange feeling that the reviewer is so jaded from all the commerciality of the music industry today, that when a band actually branches out and includes some diversity in its music, said reviewer becomes uneasy.
I would recommend people just listen and decide for themselves.
After being dropped from Wind-Up records after 2003’s So Far From Real, Cauterize picks up the slack on Canadian indie label High4Records, run by Goldfinger’s Darrin Pfeiffer. While eight of the songs are carryovers from their independently released 2005 EP Paper Wings, Cauterize has once again managed to have their songs reach the shelves in Canada.
Cauterize is famous for their three guitar attack and catchy guitar riffs are evident in almost every song. The first single, “Closerâ€Â, is a masterful mix of guitar and lyrics, a favorite among fans of the band. On top of that, “Closer†is one of two songs on the album produced by Greg Nori (ex-Treble Charger, ex-Sum 41 manager). While the production on the track is outstanding, it becomes evident that the self-produced tracks on the album are no match for the work of Nori.
Cauterize is a band truly like no other, as evident in the middle of the album. Tracks such as “Minor Key Symphonyâ€Â, “Dare You To Screamâ€Â, and “The Devil In Lace†are lyrical masterpieces that have you screaming for more. Songs like these are the peak of Cauterize’s ability, one of the reasons they are often considered to be on the brink of stardom.
Lead singer Jesse Smith continues to write meaningful lyrics, although he seems to slip up on a few of the new songs on the album. “Love In The Atticâ€Â, the opening track, includes some of the best guitar on the album, but the lyrics make the song sound like it was thrown together last minute for the album. “Don’t Stop Now†is a catchy pop song that has potentially to hit pop-radio charts, but at points the lyrics become childish and sound like they came from a bands first album, not fifth.
Overall, Disguises is a solid mixture of rock and pop-punk that never really heads in the same direction. Those who enjoy the first track they hear may not enjoy the rest of the album as every track heads in a different direction. But that is what makes Cauterize so special. With an album such as Disguises, Cauterize should not stay disguised much longer. 8.5/10
where can i get this CD?!?! no store near me sells it and i dont have the patience to wait and get it online
Emily, I looked into it and it seems not many people do sell the album in stores. I searched Target, however, and Disguises came up– it did say, “Music brought to you by Amazon.com, so i’m not sure if that means it can only be purchased online! So I would try your local Target.