Review: Us Amongst The Rest – 'Follow The Truth'

US AMONGST THE REST
'Follow The Truth'
SELF-RELEASED

York-based alternative rock quartet Us Amongst The Rest are one of those bands that tick all of the boxes for what a good modern rock/metal band should be. Good riffs, memorable song titles, big sing-a-long choruses and an ear for a good hook. Their début album 'Follow The Truth' is sharp and professional, so much so that it's hard to believe they're unsigned. But ultimately there is something hollow about it all.

The band know how to write a potential hit. Songs such as 'Blood In Me', 'Bring The Fire', 'Falling Skies', 'Horizons', 'Love Is The Bull', and 'Unforgettable' channel acts such as Avenged Sevenfold, Asking Alexandria, and Alterbridge, which will certainly play well to teens with a subscription to Kerrang! But beyond that their appeal is pretty limited.

The album, aside from a superfluous intro and bland ballad in the form of 'Angels' sticks rigidly to its formula. Despite the bands obvious skills and technical proficiency as musicians, especially in the guitar department, they fail to push their sound beyond its most safe and commercial confines and as a result they are somewhat indistinguishable from a lot of other acts out there.

In terms of production the album is faultless. For an unsigned band it already sounds like they've had a top rock producer give it the once over. It's crisp, clean and you'd be hard pressed to tell there wasn't label cash behind them.

Us Amongst The Rest have created an album that will undoubtedly continue to get them noticed. The band's musicianship is faultless, there song writing ability is very commercial, and with a good label behind them they are sure to make their mark. But there is nothing here that really sets them apart from the crowd. They are a band of the present and, from what is on display on 'Follow The Truth', they could very well be another flash in the pan if they don't future-proof themselves.

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