genres: punk + post-hardcore + indie rock
for fans of: Trophy Eyes, Thrice, Senses Fail
Despite six years of activity and regular releases, A Line in the Sand represents American Arson’s first full-length album. Building upon the aggressive yet accessible rock that they honed over several EP releases, the band presents their most cohesive and polished collection of songs yet. Always concerned with injustice and division – whether personal, within the church, or society at large – the more political language employed on this summer 2020 release could not be more timely. Fueled by powerful guitars and vocals with plenty of grit, the band’s unyieldingly punk overtones are balanced by a tremendous sense for catchy melodies and hooks worthy of any pop artist.
Despite presenting an overall sound palate reminiscent of indie/post-hardcore crossover bands like Thrice or Thursday, American Arson are interested in breaking nearly all boundaries within modern rock subgenres. The band is very comfortable moving between sounds like the driving pop-punk of bands like Relient K (“Unbreakable”), electronic soaked indie (“The Water Will Rise”), or even folk rock backed spoken word (“The King is Alive”), while always keeping a coherent signature sound. A powerful vocal performance is the glue that holds everything together. With a slightly rougher timbre, they give the band the ability to evoke much heavier bands without ever alienating more traditional fans by resulting to frequent full on screams.
One of the most powerful songs of the year, “Forever” offers a perfect encapsulation of the mission of the band and particularly this album. Against a backdrop of impossibly catchy electronic tinged riffs and rapid fire drumming, the band makes clear that their search is for truly regenerative revival for self and society, not glamour or safety. Moving into more specific situation, the sparkling punk of “Huddled Masses” addresses the plight and injustice faced by refugees and immigrants while “Drop Your Daggers” addresses political vitriol by showing it isn’t the true fight, and that neither party truly offers solutions to spiritual (or often even physical) problems. In traditional fashion, album closer “The King is Alive” draws everything together, as the band relates a personal anecdote about their own encounters with the outcasts of society and how it opened their eyes to higher truth.
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