Picture this: a world where bleeding hearts can't disrupt your morning coffee, but instead, echo through high-voltage riffs and impassioned vocals. Here enters 'Desolate Divine,' the fourth studio album by The Color Morale, dropped into our midst in August 2016 like a well-timed exclamation point. While most bands pedaled redundant tunes, these Illinois rockers pivoted to something profound. These tracks don't fill the air; they electrify it with raw emotion—the good kind, not the pandering mush we often get. It's a fine symphony to remind you that when everything falls apart, there's power in the chaos to rebuild yourself stronger.
Let's talk tracks. 'Desolate Divine' opens with 'Lonesome Soul', a poignant reminder that strength isn’t drawn from coddling, but from facing life’s harsh truths head-on. It grooves with intensity, layered guitar melodies intertwining with lead singer Garret Rapp's gripping lyrics. It's sonic proof that some battles are worth fighting, even if it’s against the tide of caramel-coated ideologies plaguing mainstream voices.
Track by track, the album marches forward with tenacity. 'Walls' is a rebellious anthem, questioning societal limits and urging listeners to erect their own boundaries. It's not about blame—it’s about dismantling self-imposed barriers that keep us stuck. Unlike the “safety nets” out there, 'Walls' reminds us to climb over, not hide behind them.
'Broken Vessel' speaks to anyone who’s ever been cast aside. Rather than wallowing in victimhood, it elevates into a call to piece oneself back together with pride and grace. There’s no room for excuses here, just acceptance of the past and reshaping the future. This track is the harsh but fair teacher many of us lack today.
'Clip Paper Wings' provides the gut-punch of reality: not all aspirations soar as high as you dream. If you want something more substantial than virtual outrage, you first have to unshackle the chains holding you back. It calls out pseudo-comfort zones as the real culprits of stagnation. Beneath its melodic surface, it holds a rallying cry to get out there and do!
'Keep Me In My Body' questions the transcendence of spirit over physical prowess. It's about owning your identity without succumbing to the faceless mass pushing conformity. There's valor in standing tall amongst the turbulent waves of oversensitivity. You don't advance by being just another echo in the chamber.
Throughout the album, it's impossible to ignore Garret Rapp's vocals which range from savage growls to haunting melodies. His delivery adds an edge to the lyrics, making each song an invitation not just to listen, but to engage. The Color Morale has an innate ability to tap into visceral human experiences, creating an emotional rollercoaster for those willing to buckle up.
With a fusion of post-hardcore signatures and evocative lyricism, 'Desolate Divine' builds a narrative of resilience. The Color Morale challenges the listener to rise above an often cushioned existence. There's an urgent appeal to keep moving forward, to rebuild oneself even when life crumbles. Each strum and scream isn’t a concession but a motivator to be better, to do better.
This album doesn't sugarcoat, and perhaps that's why it stands out. While others placate and preach with sermons, The Color Morale dives into the human condition, unafraid to tread into the deeper waters of emotion and action. It's about finding the strength to stand up after every fall, not merely seeking solace in mediocrity.
'Fauxtographic Memory' resonates with the insecurities of modern life, where we’re entrapped by our self-curated images and the creeping disconnect from authenticity. It pushes for a return to substance over appearance. Like the album itself, it's a refusal to settle.
'Hurt People Hurt People' closes the album with a potent reminder of choice. It's about breaking cycles of pain through self-awareness and redemption. Despite its more somber notes, it ignites a spark of hope, emphasizing that anything broken can indeed be mended.
For those who prefer their music as a rallying call rather than a passive experience, 'Desolate Divine' offers exactly that. It speaks to the fighters, the challengers, and the seekers of truth in a world swimming with half-baked consolations.