Architects - The Here And Now (2011)

This may be their lightest, most melodic and most ‘radio-friendly’ release to date, but I’m not going to hate on 'The Here And Now' just because a band has chosen to change their musical direction.

In actual fact, I’m not really going to hate on it at all. This album isn’t bad. It’s just really not very good, either. I have no issue with a band that is willing to progress their sound musically; in fact I generally applaud it. However, I think ‘The Here and Now’ marks a step in the wrong direction for Architects. Following on from the sound of Hollow Crown and the sudden djent boom on the metal scene, I believe Architects could’ve gone on to be innovators in a more hardcore interpretation of djent. This would be pioneering and something a little original, but not so much of a step from Hollow Crown that they’d be selling their souls, and they could have pulled it off – in my opinion - very well indeed.

Instead, they’ve elected to go down the commercial melodic hardcore / metalcore route, which I see as a bit like giving up: Giving up your sound to fit the norm to gain popularity, instead of making your own sound so good that it becomes the norm. I suppose the change would have been fine, if the new sound was done well. The truth is, though, that Sam Carter is an alright screamer and a pretty bad singer, and unfortunately for him, the musical direction that the band are taking requires a very strong vocal performance on every level. I don’t think it’s quite hit the mark on ‘The Here And Now’.

There are some good songs on this record, though. Curiously enough, my favourite is the song that departs farthest from their norm: ‘Heartburn’. What this album really lacks for me, however, is something exceptional. Anything, in fact. All the songs are all okay - some better than others - but there’s nothing that give you a ‘wow’ factor and makes you want to go back for more.

It leaves a lot wanting, then, but it’s not a wholly unpleasant listen. A lot of people have been complaining of their leaving the complexity behind, and yes; the songs have become simpler, but the more melodic approach allows a more varied sound throughout the album, and so I don’t see it as a huge tragedy. When push comes to shove, though, if you want a heavy, technical hardcore album; get Hollow Crown. If you want a good, English, melodic hardcore album, get ‘The Kids We Used to Be’. And if you still want more, get this.


5/10


1. Day In Day Out
2. Learn to Live
3. Delete Rewind
4. BTN
5. An Open Letter To Myself
6. The Blues
7. Red Eyes
8. Stay Young Forever
9. Heartburn
10. Year In Year Out/Up And Away
*11. Day In Day Out (Big Chocolate Remix)*


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