Album Review: S/T By Write This Down

By Paul Gibson | May 9th, 2010 | Posted In Album Review

{April 20, 2009}

Tooth And Nail

The way I see it there are two distinct differences within good music. Music you know is well written and worthy of respect, either because of musicianship, writing or originality. Then there is infectious music, the kind you just can’t get out of your head.

Write This Down has done the later for me. Admittedly I review a good number of CD’s, some of those I give decent marks to and don’t listen to a lot after reviewing them. This isn’t going to be one of those.

These guys have created an album with the magical touch of a master magician. The range of the album goes from acoustic ballads to full-on nu metal. Which, some bands can pull off with seemingly little effort, but what makes this album great is the space between. Sure there are heavy and soft songs, but there are also varying degrees of style and heaviness in the middle.

These three guys stroll between the trappings of Blindside, Blink 182, Drowning Pool, and even Secondhand Serenade. It’s a listening adventure.

Alarm The Alarm is a good representation of the stylistic range of Write This Down, bringing both the pop-punk vocals and pop hooks along with the hardcore screams and breakdowns. The tough guys in the pit and scenester girls in purple jeans should both have something to dance about with this one.

Other great tracks include the hard-driving “Renegade,” it’s catchy heavy goodness on a disc that will beg for the repeat button. With almost a Hollywood Undead feel, it’ll likely be a walk-in song on the WWE before long.

“Center Of Attention,” the first single and probably the most punk-driven track is good, but might make people expect to hear just another Relient K or Philmont.

“Heaven And Hell,” closes out the album with emotional punch and a lone acoustic guitar that would make John Vesely envious.

The one gripe I have about this album is the short length, with four of the eleven songs clocking in at less than three minutes, I want more.

Chad Nichols, drums, said in a recent interview, they wanted to end up somewhere between Angels And Airwaves and Rage Against The Machine. I think they landed right on the mark.

~Paul Gibson

Favorite Tracks:

Renegade

Center Of Attention

Heaven And Hell

Citadel

Share/Save