The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die. No, this is not me being optimistic and reflecting on a world where I no long fear death. The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die is an emo-rock band from Willimantic, Connecticut, who’s emotionally heavy lyrics and melodic musicianship are reminiscent of early emo bands such as American Football and Sunny Day Real Estate. The World Is A Beautiful Place has a decent track record since their formation in 2009, with three EPs and more recently a four-way split with Tigers Jaw, Code Orange Kids and Self Defense Family, all through Topshelf Records. The band’s debut LP, Whenever, If Ever, was recently released featuring their biggest member lineup to date of 8 members.The first thing I noticed when listening to this album were the many post-rock, as well as indie rock elements that are featured throughout the album. The album has the build ups and noticeable movements you will find when listening to most post-rock bands such as Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed You! Black Emperor (the last minute or so of the song “Ultimate Steve” reminds me of Godspeed You! Black Emporer’s song “Providence” in particular). It has the ambience. It has the guitar textures and layers. This accompanied with the wails of the lead vocalist David Bello along with the sometimes harsh vocals of guitarist Greb Horbal combine to make one of the most unique sounding records I have heard in recent days.
Whenever, If Ever incorporates many different sounds into the mix. From the beginning, the album grabs your attention, with the soundscapes built by echo-y guitars and cymbals in record opener “Blank #9”. The album also features twinkly sounding guitar tones common to most emo bands (a sound that I was surprised to find under it’s own genre on the internet: “twinkle daddies”). There are synthesizers, some cello, some trumpet, and keys. The variety of sounds really make listening to this album a great and rewarding experience.
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As mentioned before, there are many build ups and explosions of sound. Songs like “Picture of a Tree That Doesn’t Look Okay”, “Heartbeat in The Brain”, “Ultimate Steve”, and “You Will Never Go To Space” really pack a punch. The driving drums really add to that punch (special attention to the hi-hat action in the beginning of “Heartbeat in The Brain”, as well as the toms on the later portion of “Ultimate Steve”, the albums centerpiece). Coming in at just 35 minutes, that says a lot about what Whenever, If Ever has to offer. Also worth mentioning are the use of synthesizers, which light up songs like “Gig Life”, slower song “Low Light Assembly”, and “Fightboat”.>
Whenever, If Ever has a lot to say in a short amount of time. A band so young making a record that is this moving and this powerful really makes me anticipate anything and everything that they will put out in the future. Do yourself a huge favor and give The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die’s new album Whenever, If Ever a listen. You won’t be disappointed.
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Rating: 5/5
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Purchase Whenever, If Ever here.