Break Even Album Review
Break Even – The Bright Side – Album Review
Words by Ian Dickinson
I don’t often have much cause to hunt for dark, eerie and ominous Hardcore outside of the UK. The Dead Swans, More Than Life, Lower Than Atlantis and the Gallows, to name just a few are flying the flag hard and proud. Australia’s Break Even have convinced me that the UK does not have a monopoly on the genre, with their release of The Bright Side.
The album has been released outside of Australia through Anchors Aweigh Records, a brilliant independent Hardcore and Punk label. I would personally buy what ever they deem decent enough to invest themselves in. Once again I have been proved that this label knows how to back the right team with the release of this record.
Formed in Perth in 2005, Break Even experienced unthinkable tragedy in November 2008 when guitarist Rowan Willoughby sadly took his own life. The four remaining members came together and rather than pack it in they dug down deep and recorded The Bright Side.
This album is nothing ground breaking. It is 12 tracks of aggressive and emotive Hardcore. Mark Bawden’s vocal style is stereotypical of the genre and at times you would be hard pressed to differentiate the band from countless others, but there is something highly endearing about Break Even which has stopped me from disregarding them.
Their sound is angst riddled and volatile, but the over ridding message of this album is a positive and life affirming one. Heavy and gloomy sounds are accompanied by a softer and accentuated screaming voice. It certainly isn’t weak but it has emotion and the lyrics are audible. After the instrumental opener the album gets under way, with what is in my opinion the albums standout track; October 27th. Fast paced and hard it could easily induce circle pit commotion but it is touching and held together with a beautifully catchy hook. Apart from laminating my entire body, it is impossible to stop the hairs on my arms and neck standing on end as Bawden, melodically repeats the words “shine bright baby shine bright,” before drums, guitars and screams come crashing in. At times sounding like Crisis era Alexisonfire, coupled with the sheer bleak brutality of This Is Hell. This is Break Even at their finest.
Smashing Lights is a positive feel good song for the spring but for people who enjoy the shadows rather than the sunlight. The lyrics as with the majority deal with despair, confusion and the desire to give up. Where most bands would leave a track unanswered and bleak. Break Even inspire and encourage strength rather than lamenting and brooding on the darkness of existence.
“when its all too much, and you feel like giving up, just remember, just remember who you are (never give up, never let go) and when its all too much and you feel like letting go, just remember, just remember who you are. Never give up, never let go.”
From such a horrendous and destructive event Break Even have arisen to create a touching and inspirational Hardcore album. The combination of powerful and bruising Hardcore with a positive under current is an unusual juxtaposition but a stirring and affecting one. “to remember. to inspire. to never forget,” reads the dedication. Break Even have achieved this with The Bright Side. This album is a fine testament to a friend and will hopefully help anyone feeling despondent and dejected work through their issues.
October 21st, 2010
pleaseeeee can you post the lyrics of smashing lights : ) im from south america