We Talked About Murder - S/T - Has Anyone Ever Told You?

Review by: Ben Dickey

WTAM possesses all of the qualities I enjoy in the post-hardcore/ post-Braid climate so many bands seems to live in these days. Said qualities include big, distorted guitars placed front and center in the mix; flowing, melodic basslines; snappy, snare-heavy drumming; and the calling card of the emo movement--strained, and at times screamy, vocals (three sets in this case) that sound more defeated than domineering. But the beauty of We Talked About Murder doesn't lie in their ability to follow the tried and true patttern of emo bands like Appleseed Cast or the rest of the Deep Elm roster. It's in how they incorporate pieces of each of the aforementioned elements with well placed production trickery (like doubled, or otherwise effect laden vocals), strong melodies (even in the harshest of moments), a pop sensibility that produces catchy choruses and memorable lines, and above all, smart songwriting. And it's that smart songwriting that sets WTAM apart from their emo-core contemporaries.

The disc's lead off track, "Victimology" borrows heavily from the Blinker the Star school of melody and phrasing, while adding a much darker (and more powerful) spin to Star's brand of alt-pop. But don't be misled by the use of the "p-word". This band's mission, first and foremost, is to rock, and rock they do. While the overall production tends to be pretty muddy (and at times unflattering), it serves to highlight the ragged twin guitars and labored vocal delivery that much more.

Loud, poignant, dark, and at times inspiring, We Talked About Murder's 6-song introduction to the world is a treat on all accounts, and should not be missed by fans of Braid, Boys Life, early Superchunk, or emo-tinged rock in general.

Read where We Talked About Murder got their name from here.

Find Out where Has Anyone Ever Told You? got their name from here.

See Panty Toss with WTAM here.

See Pictures of Wtam here, here and here.