Aspiring young band from Houston, Texas, Like Monroe, is one which derives influence from a variety of genres. Taking the aggression of Metalcore and meshing it with the textures of Electronic Rock and emotions of Alternative Rock, the band are looking to blaze their own path in an overcrowded scene. The band, which comprises Ty Johnson (Vocals), Wade Concienne (Guitars/vocals), Chris Deckard (Guitar), Alex Lofton (Bass), is a four-piece that came together while only teenagers, growing with one another through personal strife in their lives. They now take all this past experience and pour it into their music and lyrics, defining Like Monroe’s sound with passion, anger, and raw emotions. Working with Producer Drew Fulk (Motionless In White, The Amity Affliction) on their debut Things We Think, But Never Speak, the band are ready to make their move toward something big.
Belonging to the genre of bands who embrace the clean/scream style of vocal, the approach is clearly evident in opener “Roswell,” where machine gun style drumming contrasts with gentle strumming, alluding to internal conflicts of emotion as well as the highs and lows of modern life and love. Currently heard on SiriusXM Octane, “The Hills” is a bitter break up song. “Black Lungs” is about the fight to survive, and “So Beautiful” continues the aggressive and resentful theme. The more electronic “Changing Lanes” is about taking risks and following one’s dreams, and, with its hopeful feel, it is certainly a much more positive song. The track “We Will All Prevail” refers to the struggles the band has encountered and come through in life, as we all do in our own way. Keeping that fierce aggression going, “Prison Food” is an angry song along with “Circle the Drain” which tackles the subjects of faith and religion, and equally vengeful are “Crow’s Nest” and “The Enemy.” All the while, each track has a unique mix of vocals by Johnson and Concienne while the guitar work is superbly melodic and mesmerizing. The rampage concludes with “Strange Lips” which is a song of lust and betrayal making it a slightly sweeter sounding piece.
There is nothing specifically wrong Things We Think, But Never Say. In fact, it is a pleasant enough listen, and the musicianship is competent. The only critique one could have is that it sounds similar to other bands on the scene, but the songs are well constructed, and the album is certainly a valid illustration of the emotions felt by band members; their passion is unmistakable and very real. While vastly negative at times, the album will certainly appeal to audiences who are disenchanted with the world. It will be very interesting to see where Like Monroe go from here with future releases. CrypticRock gives Things We Think, But Never Say 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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