Isles & Glaciers | ‘The Hearts Of Lonely People’ EP Review 3.10.2010

Review: Mike McDougal

Rating:

In the midst of Craig Owens’ recording of his solo project and after the Cinematic Sunrise release he was booted from CHIODOS. This raised a lot of question, not only with if/when the band would continue on (which in my opinion, dropping Owens and adding in vocalist Brandon Bolmer of Yesterday’s Rising is a recipe for a quick demise of the band) or Craig Owens would even carry on making music; enter Isles & Glaciers, A super group consisting of Craig Owens (ex-CHIODOS), Jonny Craig (Emarosa), Vic Fuentes (Pierce The Veil), Michael Fuentes (Pierce The Veil), Nick Martin (Underminded/Cinematic Sunrise), Brian Southall (The Receiving End Of Sirens/Boys Night Out) and Matt Goddard (CHIODOS). The band signed with Equal Vision records to release their debut EP ‘The Hearts Of Lonely People’, a Hot Topic exclusive.

Right off the bat Owens voice is very distinguishable, but with more than half the group contributing to vocals, it really mixes up the norm and adds some dynamic to an already very talented vocalist. Jonny Craig, Craig Owens, Vic Fuentes and Nick Martin all blend their voices to make each track highly unique. Owens and Craig are strictly front men, while Martin and Vic Fuentes share vocals and guitar duties, leaving Matt Goddard on the Bass, Mike Fuentes behind the drums and Brian Southall playing guitar and programming.

As stated before, each track is in itself a work of art, starting out with the first track, Kings and Chandeliers. The song starts out with a soft intro that leads to a higher octave keyboard entrance that could almost be mistaken for something out of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Once the vocals kick in they are overpowering, and not in a bad way. The almost dueling vocals really give a character which doesn’t exist in the music world today. ‘Empty Sighs and Wine’ is another standout song on the EP. Between the vocals, samples in the background and just the blatant raw power and emotion put behind it are enough to give you goosebumps as you listen.

When rumors of the project first started circulating, word on the street was that Anthony Green (Circa Survive) was going to be a member of the group. While he would be a perfect fit in the outfit, the band gets along just fine without him, especially since the EP sounds like a more experimental CHIODOS/Circa Survive project.

The keys and programming give a certain depth to the EP and you really have to admire its subtlety. They are very subdued during the key parts of the songs, but really come out and take center stage when they need to.

I honestly can’t say anything bad about this release, and as I’m sitting here writing this review, I know that my words are doing the EP no justice at all. Do yourself a favor and pick up ‘The Hearts Of Lonely People’ and tell me if I’m wrong. I can already vouch that this will be in my top ten list for 2010.

RIYL: Pierce The Veil, Emarosa, Dance Gavin Dance, CHIODOS, Circa Survive and Broadway