We're All Broken's name may sound familiar to you because they've opened for a lot of big names like Thursday, Minus the Bear, and The Gaslight Anthem over the years. This five-piece have just undergone a bit of a change in style with their new EP, Blacktop Cry. Their former post-hardcore stylings have been abandoned in favor of a more straight-forward rock approach. The band's take on rock n' roll is showcased with huge choruses, vocalist/guitarist Joe Wilson's soulful singing voice, and overall anthemic sound. It's an instant hook at first, but it only lasts for so long.
The most appealing quality of this band is Wilson's singing. His heartfelt, soulful voice is what really drew me into this band at first. It's hard not to really enjoy his smooth style and it fits well with band's new approach. Check out the chorus of "Without a Sound" to see Wilson really stretch his limits vocally. We're All Broken's rhythm section is very tight as the guitars power songs like "The Working Life" and "Blacktop Cry." "The Fraud" also features a bit of a folk tinge with the harmonica included in the outro. One minor complaint about the musicianship is bassist Joe Sudano because he is barely heard.
Blacktop Cry spans only six songs long but unfortunately, it gets kind of tiring listening to the whole thing. The band's new formula is great, and they really hit it home on "The Working Life," the title track, and "Without a Sound" but after those stellar first three songs, things kind of die down. It's not that the final three songs aren't good, but after how well of a start Blacktop Cry gets off to, the rest of the EP doesn't live up to it.
That aside, Blacktop Cry is an enjoyable EP from a band who could have a big future ahead of them. This new straightforward rock style really works for them and it gives Wilson a chance to exercise his vocal chords even further on later releases. This band has loads of potential and we'll just have to wait and see how they use it on the upcoming full-length. Until then, we have this little EP to keep us busy for a little while.
