LEADTHEWAY has been around since 2002, but they broke up once in 2004. By 2009, they were back together and self-released their debut full length, And In Vengeance We Strike, through online music outlets. After nearly a decade since their incarnation, the band finally found a label to give their debut album a proper release.
They open the record with, “If It’s Fixed.” It starts out with a melodic intro before cutting to a dicey guitar riff. Then, we hit a speed bump as we strain to hear bassist, Andy Young, take the lead while Adam Hanley shouts, “I refuse to read between the lines anymore. Your fucking bullshit’s plain to see.” It’s unfortunate that the bass is hard to hear, but the song doesn’t suffer from it. The following track, “Same as the Old Boss,” focuses on the problems of a two party system and takes a more pop-punk route. Things get a little rocky with the third song, “Is This Who We Are,” by presenting an awkward song structure that leaves the track feeling a little sloppy. “Headlines,” however, is one of the best tracks on the album. It features some of Hanley’s strongest vocals, a bass-line we can actually hear, and catchy hooks. As well as a number of variables that keeps the song from getting boring.
Up until this point, LEADTHEWAY has been keeping a relatively brisk pace. They slow things down with the mid-tempo, “Hands That Built the Nation.” Even though it isn’t a bad track—it drags down the album. We move on to, “A Chance to Redeem,” and they do just that by opening with a hasty bass-line that kicks into a melodic verse reminiscent of Smoke or Fire. Soon we get to the profane track, “Holy Shit,” which builds to more dashing guitar riffs. There’s nothing in the verse we haven’t already heard from the band. However, its chorus contains hints of early Hot Water Music and a heavier bridge than previously heard. Following is a slower number called, “Broken.” Unlike, “Hands That Built the Nation,” it fits in better and doesn’t interrupt the flow of the album. After two more songs, we reach the closer and title track, “And In Vengeance We Strike.” It’s no doubt they saved the best for last—accumulating some of the best melodies and vocal harmonies that have to offer before a dramatic change in tempo that works beautifully.
It’s a shame it took LEADTHEWAY so long to find a label that would release their debut LP. Despite a few hiccups, it’s a wonderful album that warrants repeated listens. Hopefully, it won’t take as long for them to release a second full length.
