IWRESTLEDABEARONCE - Late For Nothing

IWRESTLEDABEARONCE - 

Late For Nothing

 

It's always scary for fans when a band replaces a member. It's especially so when that member is a charismatic lead vocalist. With most bands a change like this goes one of a few ways: Either the new vocalist has a different style and the band changes their style to match dividing fans; the new vocalist tries to match the previous vocalist and ends up sounding unnatural (see Underoath's album 'They're Only Chasing Safety for a perfect example of this) and it ends up off putting. 

Well it sure is a good thing then that IWABO are not most bands, they're not like any other band out there. Courtney is just a perfect fit for the band and the sound. She matches Krysta's unique sound and smooth transition of screaming to clean vocals, without trying. It doesn't seemed forced, it comes off as fitting. It doesn't feel like they said "Hey she sounded like this so you have to sound like this too". It works and it works beautifully. I'd even go as far as to say the clean vocals have seen a significant improvement.

2011's 'Ruining It For Everybody'  was one of my favorite albums of that year. I felt IWABO had really improved everything and still managed to keep their style. 'Late For Nothing' is that to the Nth degree. It's like IWABO decided to wake up one day and all put on suits, it's still the same balls to the wall band as before, but now more sophisticated and well dressed. Best way to describe the difference is with an analogy. Remember that kid back in high school? The really funny one? Not the class clown, the one that made everyone laugh at the right time without making an ass of themselves? That kid, that kid was IWABO. This album? This is that same kid, grown up, with a full time job, still making everyone laugh.

The nonesense-core (as I like to call it) style of IWABO is still ever present. Random transitions and break downs that some how against all odds work, are still there in all the songs. Everything feels a lot more thought out and technical. From the placement of those moments, to the guitar riffs. It's a very welcome improvement, and lends a more mature focus. They make full use of electronics that fit smoothly into their works.

The vocals are the show stealer. There's a lot more clean vocals this time around and for good reason. Courtney rocks, and is a perfect addition. I'm really picking with my vocalists, especially when they transition as much as she does. I can't get over how well she is suited for that task. Literally perfect in every way, her command over her own voice is unparallelled in music. The lyrics are also right up there, keeping up with the rest of the improvements. Some beautiful lines come out of this album, that are pure poetry.

Call this what you like, IWABO 2.0, IWABO:NEXT, IWABO2000, this is a newly improved band. Taking everything we love them for, their take no prisoners, no holds bar, approach, mixing metal, hardcore, progressive metal, disco, jazz, and everything else that will fit, and cooking it into something that is so pleasing to the ears, mine asked for a cigarette afterwards. Any hesitation about the new vocalist should be put to rest and buried. I can't recommend IWABO to every one, while they are technically brilliant, they may be a little harsh for even the most 'hardcore'. If you are looking to give them a chance, this is the album to start with.