ALBUM REVIEW: I Am Human – Escape The Fate
Since their first full length album Dying Is Your Latest Fashion in 2006, ESCAPE THE FATE has gone through several line-up changes, developed their sound, and are now releasing their sixth album I Am Human, it has been a long road for the American rockers. Their music has grown and evolved along with the band, and probably the fans too.
Broken Heart, discusses an all too common emotional dilemma of a bad relationship and gradually gaining the strength to end it for good, it is a journey that grows and moves with the music. It is an anthem of gaining courage and doing the best for yourself, even when it at first seems impossible. The track and accompanying music video have already been released, featuring a fan singing and dancing along to the song whilst getting ready, something every music fan has done at some point. It also contains some humorous forth wall breaks – don’t worry, your phone screen isn’t actually broken.
Four Letter Word has a slightly different sound from the rest of the album, this is partly due to the chorus of voices that join in on the line “four letter word”, and the guitars are gentler as well. Overall, the song still follows the lyrical theme and general musical sound so isn’t jarring. No tracks on the album are allowed to get boring, in part due to ever changing vocals that switch between screaming, gentle singing and more impassioned shouts. This is never more true than in Do You Love Me which jumps enthusiastically into the next line or riff, bursting with energy which results in a upbeat, dance-inspiring song, despite the dejected subject matter. Cleverly done, it works spectacularly.
The title track I Am Human is a joyous celebration of humanity and their quirks “I am proud to me, I am human, I’m weird I’m a freak,” whilst recognising the arrogance and greed that make up the other side of the human coin. It’s an uplifting and emboldening song, written from experience and is a really important message to celebrate. In direct comparison, If Only is the gentlest track on I Am Human going through the thought-process post-breakup in a sorrowful song. It’s a humbling display of humility and confession, “If only I had found the time, if only I had even tried”, supported by melancholy guitars.
Empire is a bit of a throwback to the older sound of ESCAPE THE FATE, electronic sounds alongside a party theme “One more line, one more shot”. It really stands out as not following the theme and musical tone of the album, in fact it is the opposite, “I set my friends on fire. And now they’re all lit up” is aggressive and destructive, where the rest of the album is positive about some really tough issues. It’s jarring and the only downfall.
Digging My Own Grave is a very honest request for help, and expression of despair and suffering. It offers respite from the heavier sounds, with a gentle, female vocalist singing unaided by guitars, later joined by Craig Mabbit, creating a fantastically unnerving sound when they’re singing “I’m digging my own grave”. The respite doesn’t last long however and quickly the guitars and drums kick back in, although the high pitched vocal-line continues in the background.
An emotionally raw, love driven album, with no bravado or ego anywhere in sight. A huge leap from the early material of ESCAPE THE FATE, both musically and subject matter have matured with the band members, and quite possibly along with the fans. A catchy, thoroughly enjoyable album that’s difficult to turn off and impossible not to tap along to. Only let down by Empire which doesn’t follow the rest of the album in seeking to improve and succeed.
Rating: 8/10
I Am Human is out now via Seven Eleven Music.
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