Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 7.5
Production: 7.0
Originality: 7.5
Tracklisting
2) Quiet Mouth Loud Hands
3) Nailbiter
4) Image And Able
5) Teacher, Preacher
6) Weights For The Waiting
7) Chromatica
8) Blinding Sir Bluest
9) Woodbox
10) Silvertongue
11) Trading Grins
After Dave Raymond left his previous band League in 2005, he went on a musical mission to form a band he could mold all himself. Out came Damiera who recorded their debut album M(US)IC (pronounced "Us In Music"). After touring in support of the album and eventually signing to Equal Vision Record, it looked like clear sailing for the band. But it was not to be as the band slowly crumbled apart in 2007 leaving Dave alone to rebuild the band again. Dave enlisted the help of Jayson DeZuzio, who produced the band's debut album, and began work on new music. Locking themselves away in an abandoned school building, they recorded what would become the band's sophomore album Quiet Mouth Loud Hands. They left with a new album making as statement to the musical world that they were back with an entirely new sound.
The opening song 'Rainman' serves more as an introduction clocking in at less than a minute. Opening with the line "rain man, rain man spare us your words," the song gives the listener a feeling of being in an empty, isolated room which coincidently is how the song was recorded. The song quickly revs up leading into the title track which comes out of the door pounding. The album does not pulse with the intense energy of their debut but instead has a consistent undertone of layered beats which the listener is introduced here. The vocal patterns follow the beats which keep your ears tuned into the echoing thump in the background. 'Nailbiter' is a perfect example of the band’s new take on songwriting: taking a pop song structure and carrying it out with edgy guitars and angular bass sounds over the constant presence of electronics.
'Teacher, Preacher' and 'Blinding Sir Bluest' show off an entirely new side to the band. Raymond’s vocals mixed with the funky chorus lines could easily fool the listener into thinking they were listening to the newest Maroon 5 single. 'Woodbox' in an intriguing instrumental track that marries their new pop style with the noodling of an acoustic guitar. The song displays a very organic, almost demo, feel. The album closer 'Trading Grins' fuses gritty guitars with electronic beats and offers almost as eerie of a mood as the introduction.
The band's debut album was a burst of entertaining energy but did not stay in my musical rotation for long due to its lack of variety. It's a shame because they displayed a lot of talent for a new band; they had the energy of At The Drive-In without the intrigue. They have corrected that though as Dave brings his vocals down a few notches and creates a larger repertoire of styles. When all the dust is settled, Quiet Mouth Loud Hands' quiet parts and loud parts combined make for a much more satisfying sophomore release. Time will only tell if it possesses the longevity it predecessor lacked.