Being someone who is constantly listening to new music and hovering over the stuff I really love, it’s hard to have a “favorite” band, song, or album. I pretty much have a new favorite every few days.
But with every rule there’s an exception, and I think with “The Sounds of Human Lives”, Therefor I Am’s Equal Vision Records debut album, it is certainly the exception. This hardcore indie band is most definitely one of my favorites, and it will probably stay a favorite for quite a while.
On my first listen, I get a slight feeling of Inhale Exhale, but then it quickly goes away. Also, I’m not sure it’s my laptop, but the sound keeps getting louder and quieter, and it’s quite annoying.
Anyhow, as described in their biography, they used the “DIY model” of getting out there (”form a band with friends in a basement, tour your butts off until your songs and stage-show have something unique and powerful to offer and build a real following”). And it certainly shows, I must say! Their music has so much emotion, so much character, and most definitely lacks any reason to suck, even the slightest bit!
The Sound of Human Lives seems quite a bit heavier and hardcore than the rest of their previously released music; even front man Alex Correia explains that his favorite song on the album is “I Am Only An Island” because “it’s the most aggressive thing we’ve ever done.” Of course, you may have heard that Therefore I Am was recently signed to Equal Vision Records in late 2008, so this album is their debut album from them. And in my opinion, they did a damn good job.
My Rating: 
Thanks to Equal Vision Records for the material.
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tanks for posting this, I love them!