Bright Flashes

by

Snapcase

Edit

What can I say. This album, in fact Snapcase as a band, really depends on your own individual tastes. I have always found that this band seems to deliver something different, something that I can't reject or always accept on first listen. As a follower of heavy, raw hardcore I will say confidently that I like Snapcase's earlier releases in 'Progression Through Unlearning' and 'Designs For Automation' better than their later stuff. However, I always find that their abilities and willigness to experiment and expand keeps on delivering music that makes you want to keep listening. I'll be honest, on first listen of 'Bright Flashes' I was not real impressed. But, as I found with their last outing in 'End Transmission', it warrants further playing and grabs you, growing quickly on you upon second listen and so on. This is Snapcases gift. They are different. They are not afraid to throw different styles into their hardcore mix and, I don't know what it is, but Daryl Taberski's vocals are excellent and catching. He polishes what is very good and capable musical abilities of the rest of the group. Now, seeing as this is not a new 'album' as such, but rather a completion of 'End Transmission' with remixes, rare releases and cover songs, obviously it may not appeal to everyone. I personally like all the covers, Snapcase applying their own unique style to classics from Devo, Janes Addiction and Helmut. Other tracks provide differing enjoyment and I found that I basically liked a majority of them with aonly a couple of exceptions, which is a personal thing. Like I said though, if you spin this disk and think dissapointment, do yourself a favour and don't throw it to the rear of the collection never to be spun again. Upon second or third listen you will pick up on how good this album actually is. Like a lot of later Snapcase material, it WILL grow on you, they simply have that affect. This really is a good group, and hell, they really do have talent!

Concept albums by hardcore bands? Isn't that some prog-rock, Pink Floyd or Coheed and Cambria thing? Nevertheless, hardcore veterans Snapcase follow-up 2002's brilliant epic "END TRANSMISSION", with "BRIGHT FLASHES", the conclusion to the former mentioned concept album. Wait, they venture into techno too? The remix to Believe/Revolt, subtitled (Relocation Blueprint), is built around the chorus/refrain "we got the escape route blueprint, get off this planet now" and given a techno underbelly. "Ten A.M" is also given the same electro treatment, that pulls you into the dark world that vocalist Daryl Taberski describes in the lyrics, it gives the feeling of life after the Apacolypse. "Dress Rehearsal" is one of those songs that would nest comfortably with on "END TRANSMISSION", leaving the listener to wonder why it was left off that album. "New Academy" showcases Snapcase at their finest. On "Blacktop" the band covers an influence that has much in common with their sound as Michael Jackson has children in his bed, HELMET was an very obvious influence on SNAPCASE and here the band takes a note from that band's "STRAP IT ON" LP, mimicking the repetetive riff sound that both bands have honed, but it's Daryl handling the vocals vice Page Hamilton. The Buffalo legends also attempt to tackle two DEVO tracks "Depths of Field" and "Freedom of Choice", Taberski's vocal strain dating back to the day he took over lead vocals becomes unbearable for the first time in the history of the band. Not to worry, the band does an impressive cover of JANE'S ADDICTIONS' "Mountain Song", imagine Perry Farrell losing his voice and you get the effect, but it's not a bad one done in true Snapcase form especially on the vocalization of the "Cash In Now" line. "Bright Flashes" may not be for everyone but a definite must have for collectors. (review originally appears on facedownfall.com)