REVIEW: Screamo and melodic hardcore at 180

Jordin Harris / 209Vibe street teamPosted April 28 at 11:50 AM

La Circa, The Glorious Fall and Consider the Thief took the stage April 25 at Lodi's newly-christened 180, formerly the 180 Teen Center. Despite the name change, the show still drew a mostly teen-age crowd who came to check out La Circa.

The Glorious Fall opened the night with a set typical of the melodic hardcore/metalcore bands with keyboards that seem to dominate the scene these days. It sounded like the band was trying too hard to sound like its influences, which include As I Lay Dying. Its members individually were pretty decent musicians for their age and the band had great overall stage presence, but with their powers combined, they form yet another ridiculously generic band.

Consider The Thief, meanwhile, shows incredible musical talent that helps set it apart in the scene. The complex melodies that are in every song are what make this band one to watch. There are perfectly planned out three-part vocal harmonies backed by even more amazing three-part guitar melodies, which take them all to another level.

Consider The Thief’s music is so incredibly beautiful, but unfortunately the acoustics in the 180 Teen Center did not do it justice. The intricate guitar parts were hard to separate and the backing vocals could barely be heard. That aside, Consider The Thief brings something new to the table, which is nice for a change, and I think that everyone should give them a listen.

La Circa gave an entertaining performance as the night's headliner, and the crowd loved every second of it. La Circa is a very talented band, but for me there is nothing there that makes them stand out from the crowd more so than any other band in the genre.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching them and I don’t mind the music, but this band just falls into the same usual mold for a screamo band. La Circa is so close to having something great, but just needs to push the envelope a little more.

I have faith in the fact that La Circa will be something great and that the band will mature in its sound with time.