Band: Texas In July
Title: I AM
Label: CI Records
Release Date: 2009
Review By: Steve
Tracklisting:
- Introduction
- It’s Not My First Rodeo
- Elements
- Lancaster
- Hook, Line and Sinner
- I Am Yours
- Aurora
- Page One
- Reflections
- Satellites
- Father Time
I listened to Texas In July a while back when someone shared their Salt of the Earth EP with me, and I didn’t think much of it except that it was decent. So when I got the promo download from CI Records for I AM I was blown away on how heavy Texas in July actually was. I fell in love with this album the first time through. They also just happen to be on the same label that another Pennsylvania band started out on. You know them as August Burns Red. Who knows if they will ever rise to that level but from the sound of I AM they are certainly on their way.
Texas In July is a five-piece hardcore/metal band out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It is a little odd to see such clean-cut hardcore/metal band members. Did I mention that several of the members are still in high school? That is probably why there is such a lack of visible tattoos. Don’t let the good looks fool you though. These guys will not think twice about assaulting your eardrum and audible senses.
This album has everything a hardcore/metal fan is looking for in an album. Tons of brutal breakdowns, heave double bass pedals, and a lot of hardcore stops and break beats. On top of that Christian and Logan through in some stellar riffs on guitar. I really like it when an album can make me start contemplating doing some hardcore punches, kicks, and windmills in my media room when I am by myself. Of course, I’d pull the blinds shut. I don’t need my neighbors thinking I have seriously lost my mind. All in all instrumentally, Texas In July is very fast, brutal, and downright good! Musically, I think Texas in July has a unique sound that kind of sounds like early August Burns Red yet more of a hardcore vocal style.
Lyrically, Texas In July is heavy on the metaphors of pride, vanity, and lives of sin in general. I am impressed that such young men could have such deep insights into the pride and the sinful passions of life. I think it speaks volumes of their love for Christ. My favorite lyrics on the album come from “Lancaster,” when Alex seems to reminisce about his friends and time growing up in his hometown when he screams out, “We Paint The City Skylines Gold / With All The Memories / That We Hold / Made With Friends / As Close As Blood / But Nothing Will Change The Fact That This Is Home / Its Had Its Ups And Downs / And Turnarounds / But We Will Never Regret / The Way We’ve Changed / For Better For Worse / I Am Who I Am And I’M Proud Of The Progress That I’ve Made / For Every Joy Something Beautiful Still Remains / We Won’t Remember The Days Just The Moments We Made / It’s Such An Amazing Feeling To Close Our Eyes And Reminisce A While / A Friend Is One Who Takes Me For Who I Am.”
One of the only complaints I have about the album is that the instruments drown out the vocals a little too much for my liking in most of the songs. It is hard to single out my favorite track on the album because I like them all and except for the soft instrumental “I Am Yours” every track seems to be equally heavy.
Overall: This was an intensely brutal album that had me wanting to do some hardcore dancing in my media room. Any fan of metalcore and hardcore is really going to like this album. I am definitely a huge fan of Texas In July and will be interested to see what the future has in store for them.