Like recently reviewed buds Calculator., Touché Amoré play a weird role in screamo revival. Certain moments on their debut 7" certainly bear resemblance to their oft-cited influences like pg. 99 and Orchid, yet their structure largely remains closer to equally dark, more straightforward-yet-forward-thinking hardcore acts like Modern Life Is War and Spanish Bombs.

That's due to the fact that this 7" never really contains any clear moments of overwhelming spazziness or intensity, but in no way do those voids detract from it. This is a very fresh hardcore sound, full of a searingly intense vocal front and careful, clever changes in tempo and direction. It's the sort of sound that espouses all shades of gray while remaining compelling and dynamic.

It's also littered with issues that appear very near and dear to the members' hearts, like the self-explanatory "WeHateFredPhelps.com" and digital bonus "Hipsterectomy," the latter of which seems to be a call-to-arms for originality levied towards the L.A. hipster scene.

They've already got their first full-length on the way, with some serious cameos in the mix (Jeff Eaton, Geoff Rickly). This was a great start, but I'm ready to be floored by what's next.

STREAM
Negotiating the Charade
WeHateFredPhelps.com
Broken Records
Honest Sleep