Artist: Almost Human

Artist: Almost Human

Links: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Almost-Human/100142870073280

https://soundcloud.com/almost-human-band/

There are bands you suffer because they're local. And then there are bands you feel fortunate to live near, because their output rivals or dwarfs that of the national touring acts passing through. Almost Human undoubtedly falls within this second camp, owing to a vocal lead whose power and melody recalls Patrick Stump's (Fall Out Boy) and to screamo-laden vocal interplay that compares favorably to that of Thursday.

Almost Human boasts complete mastery of melody, harmony, and dynamism (e.g. vocal interplay), all of which would be useless without the considerable emotion Almost Human brings to bear on Emotion Sickness and The Veil Lifted. Behold the harmonies of “Sidewalks” (at :48) and “Isolated Tongues” (at :28 then :34). Then preview the first minute of “Isolated Tongues,” which has all you need to become a fan. The ample melody supplied by the track's lead vocal and guitar-wash are further elevated by integral backing harmonies. And fortunately for pit connoisseurs, what could be deemed soft-batch (a chorus of vocals) is appropriately leavened by caustic screams. [Not to mention, Almost Human's emotive screamo prepares fans for the pit-appropriate balladry of “Abandon Ship” and “Cockroaches” (starting at 2:04) – each succeeding a bit more than “No Remorse.”]

Other standouts include “Bitter End” (with its memorable hook at :49) and “Frequency” (which contains an infectious “pray for me, pray for me” lyrical/melodic backing vocal). Even “Apologies Pending” rises above its “Crazy Train” roots with a memorable pre-chorus (:40-:47) and chorus (:48-1:06).

While other bands employ a limited set of “tools,” Almost Human has paraded [on its first two albums] an impressive array of ICBMs set to deploy at moment's notice – hopefully on a soon-to-appear EP/album.

*** The author of this review, David Davis, plays the marimba for the following band: http://youtu.be/tMS73-1kCr8