Pierce The Veil

A Flair For The Dramatic

[3.5/5]

Born from the remains of melodic punks Before Today, Pierce The Veil exhibit the enthusiasm and vitriol of a band working with new lungs. And brains. Their schizophrenic attack cross-pollinates adventurous post-hardcore with Swiss-Army rock smarts and soaring choruses-sometimes, as on “Yeah Boy And Doll Face,” all at once. Producer Casey Bates (Fear Before The March Of Flames, Gatsbys American Dream) impresses his keen experimental instincts in all the right doses, too, whether its via piano on “The Balcony Scene” or his addition of just enough programming atop emotional epilogue “Wonderless” to frame its self-reflective coda. “I’ve done some thinking of my own,” frontman Victor Fuentes intimates on the excellent “I’d Rather Die Than Be Famous.” That much is obvious. But be careful what you wish for, dude, especially if you keep writing songs this good. (EQUAL VISION) Tristan Staddon