We Came As Romans: To Plant A Seed Review

I know I promised to review Weezer next, but I have recently been struck by a musical bolt of lightning that has possessed me and revealed a new and impressive talent to review that I cannot possible ignore. It is not often that one comes across fresh and awesome music, and it is always pleasant when this happens, so in that spirit, I am pushing back my Weezer review until tomorrow so that I can review accurately and so that I can begin to tell you about how awesome We Came As Romans is. For starters, they are really awesome. They are also harder than most easy-going music fans are used to. Make no mistake, this is for fans of bands like Underoath, Demon Hunter, and The Devil Wears Prada, but at the same time, fans of slightly lighter bands will be drawn in as well. Let me explain what I mean by this. It is true that lead screamer David Stephens can scream with the best of them, but as with almost every other screamo/hardcore/electronica band, there is a screamer and a soft vocalizer that adds that tender and dramatic element to every song. Kyle Pavone plays this part, and he plays it ridiculously well, sounding like a mix between Hawthorne Heights' frontman JT Woodruff and A Change Of Pace's former singer, Torry Jasper (you know, back when A Change Of Pace was good). Even if you don't like/know these two singers, trust me when I say that this guy is good. When you put these two vocal components together, all you need left is dramatic and rocking music, and We Came As Romans delivers on that too. Then you can throw in the fact that this is a Christian band with a great message that they effectively spread through their music, and you can begin to see why I'm so excited about this group. Believe me when I say that these guys are turning some heads and I guarantee you they are the next big thing in the world of screamo. I'd like to thank my roommate for introducing me to them, and I'd like to thank fate that even though they did release two EP's already, this is their first LP, so I can review them as a fellow newcomer to the wonderful world of We Came As Romans.
1. To Plant A Seed- This band establishes itself as musically talented and authoritative right off the bat, with a killer, thunderous drumming intro that immediately testifies to Eric Choi's insane drumming skills. This is accompanied by Lou Cotton and Joshua Moore's ridiculous guitar throwdowns and Andy Glass' solid bass. After this there is a solid verse of throaty screaming until the tempo picks up and the softer vocals accompany the screaming with echoes and being in the background. Then the tempo slows down and Kyle's vocals are given their first opportunity to shine. Lyrically, this song is about a seed of love being planted in our beings and spreading. There are some heavy throwdowns in this song, but almost all of them give way to some nice, dramatic singing from Pavone. This dramatic tension is paramount in the last minute of the song and is simply awesome to behold. A killer start. 10/10
2. Broken Statues- This song begins with a cool little ditty on the synthesizer and drums and then explodes into some quality screaming and killer guitar hooks. This is just a purely epic album, and songs like this testify to it. This song is about forgiveness and washing your hands clean. This song is one of the heavier songs until Pavone comes through, accompanied by the aforementioned blazing guitars. These guys' energy is just incredible. The addition of violins with the synthesizer adds an even more dramatic touch, and when Pavone comes back on in the last minute along with Stephens screaming, the scorching hot guitars, the violins, the synthesizer, and heavy thunderous drums, you get one of the most epic songs ever. 10/10
3. Intentions- This song came off the band's second EP "Dreams" and has been modified and polished for the LP release. The song begins with some intensely deep screaming, drumming, guitar, and echoing background chanting akin to A Day To Remember. Then Pavone's singing comes in and one is reminded of Torry Jasper and A Change Of Pace and their glory days (Remember when they used to be good?). Anyway, this turns to some more screaming and then some intense synthesizing, violins and drums that slows down and allows a piano to have its say in the drama that's being established. Then everything cuts loose and you are left with a massive headbanging fest. Pavone joins in and lends his own voice to Stephens's screaming. Another epic and dramatic ending that brings everything together shows this group's commitment and success at being awesome. 9.5/10
4. Roads That Don't End And Views That Never Cease- This song starts off with some ferocious roars and drumming that gives way to a killer guitar hook, and then Pavone's simply awesome chorus accompanied by the synthesizer. I'm not usually an electronica/synthesizer supporter, but the scheme behind each chorus is just too awesome to ignore, especially when mixed with Pavone's perfect vocals. The mix of hardcore verses mixed with the awesome chorus makes this the best song on the album. Lyrically, this is about being far away from someone you love and wanting to be together again. Even though the fashion in which they are presented doesn't really show the beauty behind the lyrics, looking at what is being sang/screamed reveals how deep and heartwrenching they are. There is another epic section of the song that rivals each of the other ones I've already mentioned with all the previously mentioned elements: Pavone's vocals, Stephens' roaring, the synthesizer, the drums, and the guitars. Absolute perfection is all that comes to a listener's mind when the song closes with some piano and soft vocals: "This is how we love." 10/10
5. Dreams- The only other song to make it from the "Dreams" EP has been given a makeover and has never looked better. The sweet little drummer intro introduces Pavone to the song and things start to get epic right off the bat. The theme of desperation mixed with notions of being noble in the face of darkness manifests itself here with the repeated lyrics: "This is how I show you my love." This song is about being God's love here on earth and how we all struggle here on earth together as brothers. The verses are mainly harder screaming and the chorus reverts back to Pavone for that signature line. There are some really sick guitar hooks in the middle of the song if you pay close enough attention. The only problem I have with this song is the way it kind of fades and doesn't really end on an epic note like the other ones, but it is also true that it prevents all the songs from being too similar and sets the next track up nicely. 9.5/10
6. We Are The Reasons- A beginning with a sound akin to a xylophone lullaby sets up the drama of the song very effectively and the screaming and fast-paced verse takes it from there. Pavone comes back in and things slow down so that when the screaming kicks back in and joins him, the drama is able to be further emphasized, especially with the help of brass, violins, and the synthesizer. Then, when these elements fade back out and the drums and guitars dominate the sound, the headbanging nature of the song makes its presence known. The song ends on a final note from the violins and is set up by the return of the lullaby sound. I'm not sure how many more times I'm going to have to say epic at this point. 9.5/10
7. Beliefs- Pavone's lamentations in the background and a splashy drum intro give way to some aggressive guitar. The momentum builds with the help of the drums, the synthesizer and the keys. Another headbanger that is about holding fast to what you believe in in the midst of confusion and doubt. There is some more A Day To Remember-type chanting here, and the bass makes itself known after this. Pavone is given a chance to dominate as his voice is the principal characterizing element of the last minute, even though it is important to give credit to Stephen's screaming that adds that extra dramatic touch first set up by Pavone. For the final thirty seconds, Pavone closes to some soft notes and one is reminded of Saosin's lead singer Cove Reber. 9.5/10
8. I Will Not Reap Destruction- A cool little intro with the keys and synthesizer sets up some harder screaming, allowing for some rock-out time for the guitarists, and they sure as hell make the most of it with some catchy and mind-boggling hooks. The chorus is pure genius and Pavone nails it once again. The title of the song accurately sums up the main message of the lyrics, but examining the lyrics themselves continues to reveal how deep the message is. This is one of the hardest songs on the album minus the chorus, but based on the message of the song, it works well. This ambitious song closes on the haunting intro it began with, and it effectively emphasizes the drama. 9.5/10
9. Searching, Seeking, Reaching, Always- An upbeat intro that contains more screaming kicks this one off and then gives way to Pavone and some momentum-building guitar before the intense chorus kicks off. Lyrically, this song is about searching for something more, as the song title indicates. This song is a lot shorter than the other songs, but it gets in and makes its point before it's said and done. The chorus is great and Pavone pretty much dominates the majority of the track, only using Stephens's screaming as a dramatic supplement. This is probably my least favorite track because I don't think it was developed as much as it could have been, but it's still damn good and it serves as a testament to this band's greatness that the least interesting track is still receiving a nine. 9/10
10. An Ever-Growing Wonder- This song kicks off intensely with Pavone, switches to some Stephens' roaring, and then slows down and allows tension to build. There is some consistently good guitar here, and the chorus involves Pavone's intense lyrical examination, the synthesizer, and awesome drumming. This song is about facing who you are and making sure that it is the person you want to be. There is an epic buildup in the middle of the song, and then the tempo slows down. However, when this happens, the violins build up more drama and then everything explodes into an appropriately epic conclusion for the entire CD. All I have to say is well done. 9.5/10
Overall: 96/100
As the overall score (and the entirety of my review, to be honest) should indicate, these guys are really good. A lot of people think the concept of a hardcore Christian band is a little bit ironic and almost hypocritical, but in listening to bands like this, I have to think these people are gravely mistaken. We Came As Romans has a great message and the fashion in which they choose to spread it is more effective than lighter Christian rock bands because it reaches a more diverse, appropriate, and younger audience. If they are out spreading this great message, it really shouldn't matter to other Christians how their music sounds. And then you throw in the fact that these guys own what they do and you have something really special that will reach a lot of people. These guys are so musically talented it is ridiculous and even people who are not particularly fans of hardcore music would have to admit to the musical talent they possess. For the faint of heart, this might not be for your listening pleasure, but for those who are able to look beyond the harder elements of the music itself, you will be able to appreciate the message and see that this band is unique, fresh, has a great message, rocks out, and has really compelling lyrics accompanied by a musical fervor that rivals any of the other hardcore screamo bands out there today. I'm guaranteeing it right now: We Came As Romans is going places. Thanks for tuning in. Up next is Weezer. Rock on.