Pianos Become The Teeth – Old Pride

On Old Pride Baltimore, Maryland’s Pianos Become The Teeth puts an interesting and refreshing spin on screamo by fleshing out their chaotic bursts and screamed vocals with atmospheric post-rock and what could almost be called straightforward hardcore (or at least post-hardcore) with moments that even remind me of what you might hear on early 90’s Touch & Go releases. These eight songs are technical but the guitars always remain on the mathy and emo side of the equation rather than crossing over into the world of metal. With music like this there’s always the chance that it could all end up being too dense, but on Old Price the band proves they actually know when to hold back and give their songs room to breathe. Now, I really dislike the band Thursday and (thus) won’t compare Pianos Become The Teeth to them as others have done. Instead, I hear the instrumental prowess and soaring grandeur of (say) Explosions In The Sky tempered and bombarded with the abrasive-yet-melodic bombast of That Within Blood Ill-Tempered-era Shai Hulud. It works tremendously well and makes me wonder why more groups don’t employ this loud/quiet and chaotic/atmospheric dynamic. Have a listen.

MP3:
Pianos Become The Teeth - Filial