(((((OPENmind/SATURATEDbrain))))): I AM ALASKA

Wednesday, 8 February 2017

I AM ALASKA

Band: I AM ALASKA

Genres: Punk / Rock / Post-Hardcore / Alternative
Related artists: ?.
Country: Doylestown, Pennsylvania USA
Years Active: 2008-2011
Song: "Death in a Silent Picture"
Album: "A Day in a Life"
Year: 2008
For fans of: At The Drive In, The Fall Of Troy, For The Mathematics, Hercules Hercules, Thursday, In The Name Of Havoc, (later) Hot Cross, Chiodos Bros., The Mars Volta, Protest The Hero, Glassjaw, Cold Craving, Saosin, Secret Arms, Face Tomorrow, The Blood Brothers, and Park.

Label(s): Self Released / No Sleep / Attic Records
This post's artist is from the February 2017 Mix. This is track #3.

You can download: the February 2017 Mix#2 right here or get the new March 2017 Mix#3 here.

I first became interested in I AM ALASKA when they released their debut EP (the first of three) in 2008. The driving post-hardcore was much akin to Thursday, Glassjaw, At The Drive In and Billy Talent and was able to catch my attention at the tail end of this musical phase of my life. That being said, I still really enjoy a few tracks from the aforementioned 'A Day in a Life' cd and can enjoy the latter two EPs as well. The first cd seems to be the rawest and projects the most passion, whether intentional or not. The track "Death in a Silent Picture" is my jam. This thing excels at using the vocalist's vast range to create some awesome melodies as well as some nice yellin', but I would be an ass not to mention the perfectly balanced instrumentals that go from soft and chill to crunchy and heavy in every song, as well as include a keyboard from time to time. "Proletariat" and "Ghost" are also excellent songs that

Upon writing this review, I came across the 2009 and 2011 EPs and am a little let down. They are good, but not great. Then again, my tastes have changed quite a bit so maybe I've just outgrown this sound. Regardless, 'To Elude the Architect' borders on being too poppy and a little cheesy but generally sounds like I AM ALASKA. 'So They Say' is pretty similar to the first two records and isn't really growth but acknowledging their strengths and refining them. To be honest all three releases could have been recorded in the same week and spread out over a few years and it wouldn't surprise me in the least. That's not a knock on the band, it's a statement that yields both positive and negative results. I AM ALASKA maximized those positive results on their debut EP, and more specifically "Death in a Silent Picture", so go check that out and decide for yourself.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2008 - A Day in a Life cdEP (stream/buy here)
2008 - No Sleep Till Christmas comp (contributed "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch")

2009 - To Elude the Architect cdEP (stream/buy here)

2011 - So They Say cdEP (stream/buy here)

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(2008) I AM ALASKA - "Death in a Silent Picture" (from 'A Day in the Life')