I really try not to hear an album before I review but I’ll be honest with you, not only have I heard a few tracks from “Foreshadows” by Vivid Dreams, I’m also good friends with one of the members. I won’t lie, I loved the few track snippets I heard a while back but. I also promise on my cats’ lives that the fact that I’m friends with one of the members will not affect my review of this album. My friends know me well enough to know that if they submit their music for a review, I will be just as harsh on them as I am on anyone else. Vivid Dreams said they were ready for that honesty so let’s check out this debut EP from this Twin Cities based band.
“Lullaby of Dissonance” wastes no time in hitting you right in the face with a wall of sound. Instantly powerful and instantly energetic, it’s really a perfect track to kick this EP off with because it instantly catches your attention. The vocals have a super familiar sound to them but I can’t quite place it. Although heavy, there’s an undeniable sense of emotion in them. you can feel some words that feel defeated, others feel aggressive and all together- they absolutely tell a story that the actual words are portraying. The drums power throughout this track and almost drown out the guitar work at times which is a bit of a bummer because I know how talented the guitarist is but I also feel like it gives this opening track yet another layer to it that makes it oh so irresistible.
“Pus” opens with a bassline that is as catchy as it is intriguing. There’s an almost theatrical element in the instrumentation of this track that I could listen to all day and not get bored with. The vocals don’t change much from the first song but I know this is an element that is going to last throughout this EP. I feel like I’m still wracking my brain to figure out who it reminds me of but I think there are too many influences to list while Vivid Dreams stands alone with a sound that only they can do. This track is a bit slower moving than “Lullaby of Dissonance” but it is just as impactful.
My favorite track on this album has to be “Carnivorous Herbivores”. Again, like the previous tracks, there’s something oddly familiar about the sound while being completely new. I also love the energy in this track. The previous two songs were definitely full of energy but something about this third song just stands out to me. Maybe it’s the addition of some gang vocals, maybe it’s a feeling of chaos felt throughout the track, regardless, this was an instant favorite of mine and although I’ve tried to stop listening to songs multiple times in a row when doing these reviews, I just could not resist and had to give “Carnivorous Herbivores” a second listen before moving on to “Wasteland”.
Even though it’s the shortest track on this EP, “Wasteland” really stood out to me because the instrumentation takes a more punk approach than the previous tracks. There’s something just a little brighter about this track than the previous ones. Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a rainbow, unicorns and sparkles kind of song (but I doubt that Vivid Dreams could pull that off, and yes boys, that’s a challenge), but there’s just something a bit lighter about the instrumentation. Of course, as I was writing that, I caught onto the fact that the lyrics were saying “Watch them all die.” Honestly, that juxtaposition of a brighter feeling with the dark words is something that made me fall in love with this track.
Things take a more sensitive turn for the closing track “Skyline”. Vivid Dreams had proven they can do heavy and powerful no problem but it was a little refreshing to see a more sensitive side to this band with this closing track. Even though the lyrics are more somber and the instrumentation a little less in-your-face, there’s no denying the energy in this final track and I found myself completely captivated by the drumming. Honestly, I was getting huge Thrice vibes from this track which caught me a little off guard but it works for these guys. Lyrically, this was my favorite track. Overall, it was my least favorite track only because it meant the end of the EP was here and I’d have to move on to another album to review.
Vivid Dreams nailed it on this EP. No other way to put it. If you don’t believe me or think I’m being biased, take a listen for yourself and let me know what you think. I may be speaking to soon but this may be the release of the year for the local scene and I am already anxious to see what else Vivid Dreams puts out there!
My Favorite Track(s): “Carnivorous Herbivores”
For Fans Of: Power and Energy
Mosh-ability: 9.2 out of 10
What My Cats Thought Of It: Artie laid on the back of the couch; Autumn laid in the sun in my entryway
How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 10 out of 10
My Overall Rating: 9.7 out of 10
Check Out Vivid Dreams Here:
Shameless Self Promotion- Donate Here To Keep This Blog Alive!
Check Out My New Playlist With All of My Favorite Songs HERE!
Leave a Reply