Mind Noise Network
If you've been part of the Lost In A Name family up to now you're probably used to not knowing who is in the band at any given time. In fact, in the eight years that the Milwaukee, Wisconsin based Lost In A Name have been going, they have seen lineup changes that total well into double figures. Probably just as confusing for the band as it is for the fans. They've settled now though and on just the two members, original vocalist/guitarist Danny Schmitz and drummer Geoff Slater. After knuckling down with this current lineup, they headed back into the studio and the result is A Silence In Static.
Album opener Avert The Apathy was written with the help of Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery and his influence on the track really shines through. Initially, the vocals aren't perfect and the guitars feel like they fade slightly at times. But it isn't long before they hit their stride and the true power comes through. It is the drumming on this track that really creates a strong sound. A strong opener after the initial problems.
Lost In A Name -
A Silence In Static
By Daniel King on 07/09/2014
Up next comes Get Off My Hoverboard! (I can't help but hope that a title inspired video surfaces soon). Initially it follows on perfectly from the first song, picking the pace up slightly and keeping to their style of clean vocals over the squealing guitars mixed with pounding riffs throughout the first couple of minutes. Then, a true curve ball is thrown as they drop some rap, courtesy of JoeK, over a soft bassline. I was not expecting that and initially it feels slightly cheesey, but when when the riff starts up again it fits in a treat. Imagine if Alien Ant Farm turned Metalcore and you're nearly there.
Title track Buried In The Static is up next and it goes back to the ‘clean metalcore’ that we got in the first track. Changes between chorus and verse are so subtle here that it is hard to distinguish between the two. Not to worry though, because a strong breakdown towards the end takes it up a level.
If You’re Not Living You’re Dying doesn’t let you catch your breath, turning the tempo up a notch yet again. It also sees a two part guitar solo dropping in and an impressive one it is at that, giving you a soft opening and then blasting out the second half.
Sever The Ties is immediately accessible. It feels like the perfect song to release to promote the band and it has the signature vocals that drive this album along with the high pitched guitars. It is a good 'gateway' song that would drag people in to listening to the rest of the album. Up next is a cover of The Beatles - Come Together that probably won’t be received all that well received by Beatles fans. That’s not to say it isn’t a good effort. Musically the song is pretty good, the choruses are a bit flat, but the solo’s from around the half way mark make up for that.
Cold Wisconsin Night is a heartfelt and emotional song that slows the album right down and shows off Danny Schmitz’s vocals well. This song, created with help from Melissa Menago and Ari Herstand, is a welcome break from the high octane start this album made and will more than likely turn out to be the most popular track on the album (as slower songs from up and coming bands often do).
But that’s enough of that, we’re listening to a metal band here and they like to show what they can do. Nice Guys Finish Last (But It’s Worth The Wait) shows that these guys aren’t going to take their foot off the gas. In fact, this gem hidden away at the end of the album would be the highlight of the album if it wasn’t for some…peculiar…’angelic’ style vocals in the middle. It’s a really upbeat song that delivers a great message to younger fans and, if you can get past the oddity that comes with it, you’ll enjoy this.
EHONDA is one of the heaviest songs on show here but is also the main ‘anthem’, catchy in places, but still hard. It does well to keep the atmosphere of the album going and should be able to get any willing crowd going. Voiceless signals the end of A Silence In Static and the latter, with the help of Alien Ant Farm bassist Tye Zamora, provides a perfect end to the album, going out heavy and loud.
Overall, this ten track album truly flies by. packed with songs that are well written and well performed. If this is the direction that Lost In A Name continue to travel in I can see them continuing to build up a strong and dedicated fanbase. Vocally, this album isn’t the best out there, but the band plays to their strengths and both members, plus those brought in to help out on this record, are excellent musicians. This album is a positive step forward and, now that other distractions are out of the way, there is no reason they can’t capitalise on this.
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1/20
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