Across Five Aprils
Living In The Moment EP
3.8
Across Five Aprils have all the elements to be a band that the kids will love. First, they have a three word band name. Second, they take their name from a children’s novel (Across Five Aprils is a book about the Civil War). Finally, they’re an emocore band. While this is great for the kids, for me its “three strikes, you’re out!”
The first thing I noticed was how much this band sounds like Atreyu, another band who take their name from a piece of children’s culture (strike four?) - lots of clean riffage and those annoying emo vocals. As expected, there are chunky, heavy moments in most of the tracks here, which makes me think that if they were to stick to a heavier formula, they might actually be worth listening to. But then, anything you’ve enjoyed on the first three tracks is likely to be erased by the acoustic “Through the Pane”, a "pane"ful listen that is mercifully ended after 2+ minutes. Closer “Spaghetti Junction in the Rearview” shows some promise with a heavy breakdown and punk-inspired riffs, but ultimately falls victim to the same formulaic blandness of the rest of this five song EP.
So, to be fair, if you’re into Atreyu and bands of their ilk, Across Five Aprils is right up your alley. I advise the rest of you to avoid this thing like a tongue kiss from grandma.
