( The one tune that got me into TWIABP)
This album starts off with “I’ll Make Everything”. It’s a very patient intro, but then again I’ve never really heard them blast right into an intro. No, they take their sweet time, and the result is usually lush and stunning, and here is no different. Frontman and lead singer David Bello’s vocals have gotten so less whiny over the years and are much sharper. But let’s just talk about these lyrics for a second. They at first come off so joyous and warm, similarly to the how the rest of the track comes off. And while it’s wonderful to hear, I can’t shake the feeling that the rest of this album won’t be as sweet. But for an opening track, this gives me the warmness that albums from the likes of American Football used to give me. The Progressive influences are here, the Emo influences are present. There’s just a whole lot of everything, and it’s all wonderful. Then we have “The Future”, which starts off slow but really picks up rather quickly into a much more Pop Punk oriented track. But what makes a TWIABP track one of their own, is the sense of unity that comes with all of their tunes which shows up in the form of their group vocals, as well as the instrumentals. The instrumentals over the years have constantly gotten bigger to the point where it’s hard to keep track of everything, and much more intense as well. TWIABP have always sounded like a band that’s both timeless and fearless. But on tracks like “The Future”, it’s becoming obvious that this is the vastest and adventurous they’ve ever sounded. The lyrics are nostalgic and bring in a real forgotten simplicity to Pop Punk and Emo. And while yes, this track is quick, it’s memorable as hell. Then we have “Hilltopper”, with this opening riff harkening back to the days of Get Up Kids and truly classic Emo bands. I honestly love just how nostalgic these performances come off. I love the cloudy atmosphere as well as the crispness in the air to this one too. The melodies on this one are a little harsher and pack a little more of a punch, but man does it ever work great. The horns lumbering in the background are nice, and the overall intenseness to this one and the slightly darker atmosphere on this one are fantastic. Plus, as far as lyrics go, “Hilltopper” contains so many more passive aggressive and darker tones. But hell, that’s what Emo was built on. Plus, these keyboards add a strangely playful tone as they often do. “Hilltopper” is brilliant from start to finish. Then we have “Faker”, which is the most delicate sounding track we’ve heard here yet. But it’s on tracks like this, where TWIABP really take their time and flesh out their tracks creating gigantic statements. Which they certainly are doing on these introspective and quite frankly mature lyrics. Now, this one doesn’t have any Pop Punk influence or any intense punk riffs. But as far as a serene, beautiful and thought-provoking track goes, this is incredible. All of these statements about “being held back” are all so well written, and the atmosphere just sounds about as vast and beautiful as the cover art. It’s a patience-testing tune, but it’s one that’s worth it. But of course, being Emo at heart the band does bring in zingy one-liners like “If there is a hell, it’s ready and waiting for you”. Plus, the last minute or so has some of the most intense, heart-pounding group vocals of the album yet.
Now, “Gram” doesn’t have as much of an atmosphere, and to be honest really doesn’t hit me as hard as some of the other tunes here. But don’t let that fool you, this is easily head and shoulder on top of the Emo game. I like the very heartwarming lyrics and vocals, as well as the soft yet incredibly intricate instrumentals which continue to have so many damn layers and little details. Not to mention, I don’t know about you but I continue to get such a feeling of nostalgia and growing up within these lyrics. And speaking of lyrics, a lot of the same very introspective and thought-provoking lyrics turn up here but are toned down just a bit sadly. Still, “Gram” is a very decent tune. But then we have “Dillon and Her Son” which is easily the most straightforward tune here. The elements of Pop Punk and classic Emo are back in full swing. But to be honest, not a single bit of it comes off seriously cliche or too goofy. Which let's be honest, could have happened so easily. The overall driving beat on this one is intense, and it’s just so refreshing to hear them more in this atmosphere after a few tracks of slower and more serene atmospheres. But everything that’s been charging this album is still there in full swing, the nostalgic feel, and the much more mature lyrics. I’ve got nothing bad to say about this one. But I have no idea why TWIABP always insist on tracks like “Black #12”. Always on every one of their album, there’s that one very hazy interlude that sounds like it’s so full of itself and I end up taking absolutely nothing from it. That’s what we have here. It’s only a minute, but for me, this would have been much more powerful as the album’s intro. Then we have “For Robin”, and we’re back to a much more stripped down and somber atmosphere. But like, to be honest, this one is the elephant in the room as far as awkward tunes go. This album so far has shown the band members growing up lyrically and as far as feelings go. But this one is just such a gigantic backstep. I feel like this is some acoustic demo they did years before their first full-length album, Now, some people may be totally into this. But for me, it’s just TWIABP backtracking way too much. Not to mention, there are just one too many elements missing from this. There are no progressive elements in sight. Now that I think about it, there are no elements to this that make it a TWIABP track, outside of those intense drums which are easily the best thing happening here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJZLKOWrEUM
So it just hit me that we’re pretty far into the album and that we haven’t gotta a really long track from the band. “Marine Tigers” however with its 7-minute length gives me all the hopes in the world. Instantly though, I’m so much more compelled with this track. Lyrically, we’re right back in that very mature and introspective direction. Plus, as far as vocals go the band sounds so downtrodden and exhausted. But being a genre based on emotions, this works so well for them. I love all of the little details galore as far as instrumentals go, from those kindling bells to those never-ending drum-rolls. But “Marine Tigers” is so much more. This has such a progressive feel to it, with the multiple “movements” this track has and how epic everything comes off. The timeless feel, the wonderfully unified group vocals, the intense playing, it’s all wonderful and screams TWIABP. It’s epic, it’s grand, it’s beyond ahead of the game as far as Emo goes Not to mention, I love just how calamitous this one ends, with all of these intense instrumentals fading together into some distorted mess. It’s honestly beautiful. “Fuzz Minor” remains consistent, and shows TWIABP continue to sound determined and unified. This one doesn’t necessarily sound like the Pop Punk tracks we heard earlier. But some of these very bluesy riffs are actually really cool and add to the already cast sound of this album. As far as instrumentals go, you really have to give these guys credit. There isn’t a single moment where they aren’t trying something different and trying to make their songs even bigger. Plus, the group vocals on this one take this from a Progressive Emo stunner to a damn near Anthem. This album ends off with “Infinite Steve”, and I can’t get over just how cinematic this continues to be. Just these opening sharp strings and epic drums are pretty incredible. Not to mention, I just love the way the multiple layers of everything slowly make their way in. When everything comes together, it remains just as vast, epic and stunning as it’s been on the first 10 tracks. So, the world of TWIABP may not be as happy and Sun-Shiney as you’d hope, but it’s certainly beautiful. This one just has such intense playing from the thunderous drums to the determined riffs. But there are just as many truly beautiful moments in those heart-wrenching strings and sincere vocals. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the band’s finest and emotional work yet. It’s incredible honestly and makes me proud to be a fan.
Now, “Gram” doesn’t have as much of an atmosphere, and to be honest really doesn’t hit me as hard as some of the other tunes here. But don’t let that fool you, this is easily head and shoulder on top of the Emo game. I like the very heartwarming lyrics and vocals, as well as the soft yet incredibly intricate instrumentals which continue to have so many damn layers and little details. Not to mention, I don’t know about you but I continue to get such a feeling of nostalgia and growing up within these lyrics. And speaking of lyrics, a lot of the same very introspective and thought-provoking lyrics turn up here but are toned down just a bit sadly. Still, “Gram” is a very decent tune. But then we have “Dillon and Her Son” which is easily the most straightforward tune here. The elements of Pop Punk and classic Emo are back in full swing. But to be honest, not a single bit of it comes off seriously cliche or too goofy. Which let's be honest, could have happened so easily. The overall driving beat on this one is intense, and it’s just so refreshing to hear them more in this atmosphere after a few tracks of slower and more serene atmospheres. But everything that’s been charging this album is still there in full swing, the nostalgic feel, and the much more mature lyrics. I’ve got nothing bad to say about this one. But I have no idea why TWIABP always insist on tracks like “Black #12”. Always on every one of their album, there’s that one very hazy interlude that sounds like it’s so full of itself and I end up taking absolutely nothing from it. That’s what we have here. It’s only a minute, but for me, this would have been much more powerful as the album’s intro. Then we have “For Robin”, and we’re back to a much more stripped down and somber atmosphere. But like, to be honest, this one is the elephant in the room as far as awkward tunes go. This album so far has shown the band members growing up lyrically and as far as feelings go. But this one is just such a gigantic backstep. I feel like this is some acoustic demo they did years before their first full-length album, Now, some people may be totally into this. But for me, it’s just TWIABP backtracking way too much. Not to mention, there are just one too many elements missing from this. There are no progressive elements in sight. Now that I think about it, there are no elements to this that make it a TWIABP track, outside of those intense drums which are easily the best thing happening here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJZLKOWrEUM
So it just hit me that we’re pretty far into the album and that we haven’t gotta a really long track from the band. “Marine Tigers” however with its 7-minute length gives me all the hopes in the world. Instantly though, I’m so much more compelled with this track. Lyrically, we’re right back in that very mature and introspective direction. Plus, as far as vocals go the band sounds so downtrodden and exhausted. But being a genre based on emotions, this works so well for them. I love all of the little details galore as far as instrumentals go, from those kindling bells to those never-ending drum-rolls. But “Marine Tigers” is so much more. This has such a progressive feel to it, with the multiple “movements” this track has and how epic everything comes off. The timeless feel, the wonderfully unified group vocals, the intense playing, it’s all wonderful and screams TWIABP. It’s epic, it’s grand, it’s beyond ahead of the game as far as Emo goes Not to mention, I love just how calamitous this one ends, with all of these intense instrumentals fading together into some distorted mess. It’s honestly beautiful. “Fuzz Minor” remains consistent, and shows TWIABP continue to sound determined and unified. This one doesn’t necessarily sound like the Pop Punk tracks we heard earlier. But some of these very bluesy riffs are actually really cool and add to the already cast sound of this album. As far as instrumentals go, you really have to give these guys credit. There isn’t a single moment where they aren’t trying something different and trying to make their songs even bigger. Plus, the group vocals on this one take this from a Progressive Emo stunner to a damn near Anthem. This album ends off with “Infinite Steve”, and I can’t get over just how cinematic this continues to be. Just these opening sharp strings and epic drums are pretty incredible. Not to mention, I just love the way the multiple layers of everything slowly make their way in. When everything comes together, it remains just as vast, epic and stunning as it’s been on the first 10 tracks. So, the world of TWIABP may not be as happy and Sun-Shiney as you’d hope, but it’s certainly beautiful. This one just has such intense playing from the thunderous drums to the determined riffs. But there are just as many truly beautiful moments in those heart-wrenching strings and sincere vocals. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the band’s finest and emotional work yet. It’s incredible honestly and makes me proud to be a fan.
Rating: 8.6/10
Give A Listen To: “I’ll Make Everything”, “Hilltopper” “Faker”, “Marine Tigers”
Genre: Emo / Pop Punk / Progressive Rock
If You Dig This, Check Out: The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die: "Whenever, If Ever", Modern Baseball - "You're Going To Miss It All", The Wonder Years - "No Closer To Heaven"
Overall Thoughts: This is by far the most vast, beautiful, and gigantic album The World Is A Beautiful Place have ever put together. But it's a whole lot more then some more guitars and some bigger harmonies. No, this is just at the end of the day a much more mature effort from the band. Not that the band hasn't made mature tunes in the past, they have. But this is truly next level, as they bring in a slew of thought-provoking lyrics and real-world terrifying problems into their usual mix. The result is a truly stunning album from start to finish, that proves that this band is growing bigger and better each and every day. Emo / Pop Punk fans, this is your album of the year right here.
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