EP REVIEW: Lie Your Way Out – Telltale
Looking for a new record that encapsulates your end of the world fears? With their second EP Lie Your Way Out, TELLTALE give you just that. The band from Virginia, US, constantly feel like there’s 100 seconds to midnight and dedicate this five-track output to being a part of the “apocalyptic generation”; but is it just an audible manifestation of this doom and gloom?
When listening to a song that speaks of disaster and builds up the frustration of our governments, lack of unity and awareness of the state of the world around us, reaching an anticlimactic chorus is the real tragedy. This is the case in opening track Slowburn. The heavy rock track has commendable verses but the choruses can’t maintain the force due to the half-time feel and John Carteret’s vocals being unable to take it over the edge.
This is a common issue found in Pessimist and Out Of Control! which follow later. While the former has a very 2012 pop vibe that suits Carteret’s melodic vocals much more, the chorus gives a pop-punk flair that doesn’t actually contribute to the mood set. It just feels watered down as no riffs are to be found and Travis Slack’s drum beats do nothing to push it forward. Out Of Control! follows and spins this presumption on its head however. Giving a completely different flair, this is heavier and features more vigour in the guitar and bass (making them noticeable at least) and even an unexpected breakdown. However, the big choruses aren’t there until the final moment.
Just when one can assume they know where this short EP is going, TELLTALE pull COBAIN out of the bag. More of an emo rap track, this is production heavy and is perfect for Carteret’s voice. There’s a bitter tinge in his sweet sound as he tells of the struggles of being a musician and not wanting to succumb to the 27 club. Lyrics include “How could he have known how it feels to be alone on the road 20 hours away from home” and “young girl with her father’s guitar, barely old enough to step in the bar”, giving an insight into the lives of the band and the featured artist HONEY REVENGE. She’s a great addition to the song and the pair’s vocals are very cohesively pleasant. Interestingly enough, while programmed drums obviously feature, Slack’s live contribution is far more interesting than what has been provided in any other track here and proves to new listeners that there is more potential.
Lie Your Way Out is an experimental record for TELLTALE as it explores genres outside their usual sound, and in the closing title track they find the sweet spot. Slow but powerful, the production is well thought out here rather than done loose and freely like before. Carteret redeems his vocals, whereas he was clearly holding back prior, but on this more personal and emotional track (which references his bipolar disorder) he shows range and intensity. We finally get a powerful chorus and it’s rather telling. This track proves that when the artist has emotional connection to the subject, the song is far more compelling, and it’s something Telltale should continue with.
Rating: 5/10
Lie Your Way Out is out now via Rude Records.
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