A Skylit Drive – Adelphia

Artist: A Skylit Drive
Album: Adelphia
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: Official Online Store
Release Date: June 9th, 2009

Overall: 8.5
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

Lately it is becoming more and more apparent that screamo is a dying genre. Bands are either abandoning it in favor more more harmonized vocals (ex. Alexisonfire) or are turning it into a mash of electronic blips and novelty lyrics (ex. Dot Dot Curve). Screamo is in a state where it needs saving, and their are few bands that can do it. A Skylit Drive’s sophomore release, Wires…and the Concept Of Breathing helped put them above the ranks of all other screamo contemporaries with their intricate melodies and intense singing/screaming trade-off. Now with their latest release (and their first with new label Fearless Records) Adelphia, they are setting themselves to become the band that helps put screamo back on the map and influence legions of bands to bring it back once more.

Adelphia begins with the ominous tones of “Prelude To A Dream”, that lead into a throttle-ing guitar riff and hard-hitting screams. This beginning track could have been very easily written off as just another band in the scene’s attempt at being edge-y, but the thing that sets A Skylit Drive apart is their fusion of screaming with vocally acrobatic melodies over top of constant riffs that are above of what most other bands are doing as far as intricacy and creativity are concerned. It’s a track that pushes the limits of adrenaline on one track and just how fast they can get the listener’s blood rushing in three and a half minutes.

While Adelphia doesn’t necessarily re-define the band and who they are in comparison to their previous effort Wires…And The Concept Of Breathing, it is another testament to their sound and helps fortify who they are as musicians before they are able to move on in order to discover the limits of their sound. It is an album that doesn’t re-invent the wheel that is their sound, but keeps it spinning faster then ever.

Some songs on Adelphia hit harder then ever (“Eva The Carrier”), while some change timing and pace so spontaneously it is hard to believe all the sounds can co-exist in one track (“The Boy Without A Demon”), and some even show off A Skylit Drive’s slower more ambient side (“Air The Enlightenment”).

It is obvious that more and more bands (as well as fans) are turning their backs on the genre of screamo, and worse bands are taking their place and turning what was a respected sound into a novelty. A Skylit Drive are pushing forward in keeping it alive and respected at once. They have proven with their tight musicianship, impressive vocal range and lyrics that are above average compared to other bands (the ones that make death threats and talk about dying non-stop). It is hard to say whether this album will put them on the map, but it will gain them entrance into many people’s ipods.