Hawthorne Heights, 'Fragile Future'

Backstory: After two successful albums, including 2006's top five "If Only You Were Lonely," this Dayton, Ohio, emo-punk group seemed poised for superstardom. Unfortunately, the death of guitarist Casey Calvert and extended legal issues (since settled) with the band's label, Victory, threatened to derail the group.
 
Why you should care: Although offering little innovation, the Heights have perfected a more melodic variation on screamo, lending their songs the melody and guitar rush of Smashing Pumpkins. And "Fragile Future" extends this experiment—the band seems determined to pursue a catchier, more expansive sound, with less "scream" and lots of grand production (violins, keyboards, pianos, even a Beatleseque outtro on "Until the Judgment Day").
 
Verdict: From the album title to the song subjects, it's obvious Calvert was on the band's mind throughout the recording. Which almost makes "Fragile" an impossible record to rate—even if the metaphors ("you'll need more than a crucifix to survive") are a bit sophomoric, the feeling is there, and the new, Panic at the Disco–ish touches serve the group nicely. In the end, the record feels cathartic, even at its choppiest.
 
X-Factor: Speaking of Smashing Pumpkins, the band has an interesting, not-quite-faithful rendition of "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" on its home page, apparently soon to be available on a MySpace-sanctioned tribute album.

Add a comment