Somos’ debut ‘Temple Of Plenty’ was a wonderful record, taking the best of emo and pop-punk and moulding them perfectly together, whilst vocalist Michael Fiorentino’s vocal timbre lent Somos an edge that many bands lack. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about their follow up, ‘First Day Back’. Gone are the unique characteristics that Somos possessed, replaced instead with unnecessary, out of place electronic interludes and over-production.
As soon as the introduction ‘Slow Walk To The Graveyard Shift’ begins, it feels as if Somos have jumped the shark. Electronic drums, autotuned vocals, almost non-existent guitars, it’s tempting to feel like you’ve put the wrong record on. ‘Violent Decline’, though, picks things up and once the full band kicks in, it feels like Somos are back. Okay, sure, experimentation is great, but this is more like it. Driving drums and bass force the song ahead, whilst tapped guitar hooks lend something interesting and the ending is a huge, crashing pop-punk classic.
‘Thorn In The Side’ continues where ‘Violent Decline’ left off and you begin to forget about the initial out of place introduction. As Fiorentino sings “There are no refugees from a victimless crime”, Minus The Bear-esque guitar hooks sit behind him as drummer Evan Deges impresses, playing fast and hard throughout. The breakdown sounds like it was lifted straight from ‘Menos El Oso’ and Somos do well to integrate this into their sound. ‘Problem Child’ brings the tempo down, sounding like a cross between Turnover and A Great Big Pile of Leaves, which can only be a good thing. This, unfortunately, is where the positives end for the record.
‘Days Here Are Long’ and ‘You Won’t Stay’ are two songs that feel like filler; short interludes that stand out, and not in a positive way. Progression and development are laudable, for sure, but Somos seem to have made a huge departure from what brought them so much praise the first time round. Instead of being interesting, a lot of the changes that Somos have brought about just serve to make them bland and uninspiring. The record is eleven songs long, but that includes an introduction, two brief electronic interludes and an acoustic intermission. The record is just flat out disappointing, the songwriting feels rushed whilst the production seems completely overdone. Fiorentino’s vocals are too separate in the mix and all of the electronic elements that have been incorporated feel forced and contrived.
For a band of Somos’ huge talent, as evidenced by their debut, ‘First Day Back’ is a real let down and feels like a huge step backwards for a band releasing an album on a label of Hopeless Records’ calibre.
CONOR MACKIE