Featuring former members of
Taking Back Sunday,
Hot Rod Circuit, and
Coheed and Cambria,
Terrible Things could be considered an emo-rock supergroup; however, for all necessary purposes, they're simply a solid rock band. The band's self-titled debut is billed as a concept record inspired by a string of arsons in Fred Mascherino's hometown of Coatesville, PA, but aside from the album cover and some lyrics (mostly notably on "Up at Night"), it's not really a theme that overtly defines the record. Instead, you'll just want to focus on the swirling and melodic guitars, powerful rhythms, and efficient production that keeps the music direct and uncluttered. Mascherino's vocals are distinct enough that the anthemic "Revolution" seems like a castaway from any of his other projects, and the same could be said for most of the album, where tracks come off more
Taking Back Sunday than
Hot Rod Circuit, despite
Andy Jackson's complementary vocals. Even with the similarities to
TBS though, the record is never tired-sounding, not with strong cuts like the title track, "Up at Night," and the mid-paced "The Hills of Birmingham," which set the album's tone. Several of the most memorable moments, however, come when the mood shifts away from the
Foo Fighters rock, as on the darker, piano-pulsed "Conspiracy" and in the gentler emotions of "Been Here Before," which nicely uses strings without becoming overly sentimental.
Terrible Things is especially satisfying when compared to all the over-produced emo hanging on its left and right, and though the talent on hand isn't breaking any new ground, the band provides enough of a rush here that no one should be complaining. ~ Corey Apar