Balance and Composure “The Things We Think We’re Missing” Album Review

Balance and Composure
The Things We Think We’re Missing Album Review
No Sleep Records
Released September 10, 2013
Genre: Alternative Rock, Post-Hardcore

Imagine all of your favorite 90’s rock bands. Now pretend that there is a single group that sounds like an amalgamation of all the sounds produced by those favorite bands of yours. Well, you don’t have to pretend, because that’s what Balance and Composure is.Part passionately emotional alternative rock, part diaphanous post-hardcore, this Doylestown, Pennsylvania quintet has just recently released their sophomore effort, The Things We Think We’re Missing.  The record starts off with a handful of tracks that feel like listening to dew-touched spiderwebs, if that makes any sense at all. The guitar melodies glide over the hard bass and consistently groovy drums. The vocals warble questioningly, adding to the interesting musical idea at hand.The opener, “Parachutes,” starts out with a triplet rhythm, maintaining good musical flow and driving the song smoothly; this is definitely a song that you NEED to hear this year. Even when the triplet rhythms transition into a regular quarter note feel, it is absolutely beautiful. Even the pauses in between guitar melodies and vocal patterns are beautiful. The song segues smoothly into the next song ,“Lost Your Name,” another great song with the same great qualities as the first. The imagery in the lyrics is captivating, with lines like “I need your spark to light this house,” drawing you into the connection that the musicians want to make with you.

The guitar melodies will get stuck in your head easily. Other tracks such as “Tiny Raindrop” also include vivid and colorful imagery, and they maintain a rocking 90’s rock feel, making the song familiar, but innovative at the same time. The chords are full, and the vocals drive the song like a car in a sad rainstorm. Intriguing lyrics of raincoats draw you in and don’t let you go, but there are other tracks on here with lyrics that just alienate the listener.

“Notice Me,” starts out with some interesting lead guitars, but then slowly dives into bored and rehashed lyrics about wanting someone. “I’m a spider in your room, and I got eight eyes. They’re all on you.” I cringed, just a little. The song teases you because you know that with a few minor change-ups, this could be a great tune. Other pot-holes mar this multicolored road, breaking the flow of the entire album.  Songs such as “I’m Swimming” take up air time on this record, leaving the ears irritated, yearning for more rock in their roll. There are too many awkward lines about x-ing me y (i.e. laying me down, painting me a color), and it’s tiring. The Things We Think has a positive turn around towards the latter 3 tracks, with a nice track featuring Anthony Green of Circa Survive (fans of Balance will like Circa Survive, and vice-versa).

Balance and Composure make a very good, but not great, experience. It’s different, but accessible. Solid, guys, very solid. PRETTY NEAT MUSIC FAV TRACKS: Parachutes, Lost Your Name, Tiny Raindrop, Reflection, Keepsaker LEAST FAV TRACKS: Notice Me, I’m Swimming Score:( 7.9/10)