“Pride, vanity, meaningless crowns.”
A self-professed “two-man wall of sound,” Michigan’s American Arson are here with their latest full-length. Started by guitarist and vocalist Evan Baker, and later joined by drummer Jesse Gentry, the duo have been releasing music since 2014. Their style of post-hardcore-infused alternative rock is a classic sound, supplemented with modern songwriting elements. Sand & Cinder, Tide & Tinder stands as the newest addition to an already strong discography.
Album openers “The Almighty Arsonist” and “Low Tide” begin the album with adrenaline, the former a distortion-filled, screamed intro track swathed in synth-ambience. “Low Tide” takes the momentum set and runs with it, Gentry’s percussion skills on full display during the verses. High-speed kicks nicely contrast the more accessible nature of the vocals. The track culminates in an uncharacteristically aggressive breakdown, abrasive hardcore riffs and static-laden vocals creating for an explosive finish. These tracks set the stage for the overall sound that the album pursues.
Baker’s vocals take the forefront of most of the tracks. His gritty, rough-around-the-edges vocal style feels rather nostalgic, and he impressively belts out many of the record’s markedly catchy hooks. “Arrowheads” pairs this with anthemic soundscapes over the chorus, conveying a sense of triumph. It’s a vocal style that is bound to be hit or miss, but Baker presents it with a fervour which shows no compromise on their artistic vision.
Mid-album, a conceptual trilogy of tracks entitled “The Heat” is an intriguing addition to the album. Thematically, the trilogy confronts the authenticity of faith-based acts, an honest commentary on the people who only seek to profit from the scene. Baker’s unfiltered lyricism, unafraid of presenting the issues he sees as they are, makes for a rather potent cut. Struggling through adversity is another theme American Arson writes about in sincerity. The aptly named “Adversity” tells the story of Baker’s journey to starting the band; from falling out with his previous band to the difficulty of finding an audience for his music, the track stands out to me as a heartfelt reflection on Baker’s road to the present. Admittedly, the overuse of certain rock tropes (such as ‘woahs’) do make my experience with some of these tracks mixed.
Undeniably, being signed to Facedown Records, there is a certain sound to American Arson that many would expect, and the influence of many classic Christian rock bands such as Disciple or Decyfer Down is most definitely present. Between its uplifting nature to Baker’s gain-heavy 6-string driving the sound, many may consider American Arson’s style dated. However, I genuinely feel that the sound is in homage to these classic bands rather than an attempt at imitation, and the inclusion of heavier elements intermittently throughout the album creates for some interesting points of variation. That being said, the overall sound is still quite uniform. While some tracks hit high peaks, the rest fall firmly into the ‘good’ territory. The record’s shorter runtime saves this from really dragging it down.
Sand & Cinder, Tide & Timber is an album that wears its heart on its sleeve. There is something admirable in its simplicity, presenting something authentic without overcomplicating the product. What it lacks in technicality and originality, it makes up for in heart and sincerity, qualities I tend to value in music. In an age of heavy music where complexity is increasingly the norm, there is something to appreciate in American Arson’s craft.
7/10
Sand & Cinder, Tide & Timber releases November 3rd via Facedown Records, and you can pre-order it here.