Search - Receiving End of Sirens :: Between the Heart & The Synapse

TREOS is the real deal...

A. Stoltz | illlinois | 05/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"with all the unoriginal post-screamo albums being released in the last two years (2003 was the last decent year of screamo bands), "between the heart and the synapse" is probably the most innovative, experimental, and perhaps the best album in the past two years. the album is amazing, intelligent, and very complex that i felt like i couldn't give it a proper review. i wouldn't call this album screamo or emo, but an emotional, post hardcore, experimental, progressive rock album. it's all of those genres lumped into one and the result is a masterpiece. not only is the music quality stellar, the intertwining vocals from three different singers and stunning lyrics help deliver this album as well.



as for comparing TREOS to any other bands, forget it. no one else sound like band. they are completely original and this album is an epic masterpiece. the bands songs are very catchy, dark, experimental, and don't seem to follow any pattern whatsoever. very few songs on here have a simple chorus as for the chorus (and the whole song) progresses throughtout the song itself. it's very unpredictalble and i hear new things every time i listen to it.



the album is solid, but the three standout songs are "planning a prison break", "the rival cycle", and "this armistace". this band has such talent for being their first album and i can't wait for another release. also, these guys are extremely good live. see them if you get the chance! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED..."

Transcends Genres

Scott | MA, USA | 10/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't listen to 'emo'. I detest 'powerpop' and 'pop-punk'.



That having been said, treos is an absolutely amazing band. They're insanely complex, there's always a lot going on in the background that you don't noticed until you listen a few times. The vocals do NOT sound poppy at all. Their lyrics are some of the best I've heard. They've got one guy who does vocals, guitar, keyboards, and controls the synth stuff on a laptop at shows. They're just amazing. Listen to "the war of all against all" or "dead men tell no tales" if you get a chance, those are two of their best songs."

Too brilliant for the Warped Tour crowd

Sean M. Chandler | Kentucky, USA | 03/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I would hate to call another reviewer an "idiot", I agree that suggesting that this album is "emo", "punk", or sounds anything like/offers anything remotely similar to bands like Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory, and Saves the Day...is ignorant.



This is not your average Warped Tour fare. This album is a brilliant work of art, expertly crafted by five extremely talented musicians with a level of genius you rarely find in a single member of any band, much less in FIVE members of ONE band. Seriously, TREOS is that good. And this is just the first record...



To call this album, "emo" is selling it way short. "Epicore" (epic core) or "Litcore" (literary core) would be much more appropriate. The thematic elements of this album borrow from everything from the works of Thomas Hobbes to Romeo & Juliet, with even shades of Marxist literature at points (see "Flee the Factory"). And the lyrics are like old romantic poetry. "Where art thou? I've dressed up this canvas skin; painted something colorful just for you" (Then I Defy You, Stars) is just one example of the beautiful, romantic lyrical expression to be found on this epic disc.



Musically, the three vocalists jump in and fade out in a nearly seamless, dreamy arrangement--almost like multiple thoughts jumping around inside your head (give it a shot with earphones, just once). The instrumental arrangements do the same thing, supporting the lyrical swings, and finding different ways to progress an energetic album that doesn't stop or let down for a moment (save the occasional slow segue such as that found at the end of "The War of All Against All").



The production is what floors me, though. On no other album will you find themes and lyrics so brilliantly tying an album together--giving it a coherent wholeness. Almost every song on the album has a counter-piece where lyrics, themes, and musical arrangements will blend into one another. "The Evidence" and "Broadcast Quality" for example are tied together by the line "Her fingers, like spiders, spun a web my body couldn't shed" while "Then I Defy You Stars" and "Venona" are paired by the usage of Romeo as a sort of counterpoint for the songs ("Do you like what you see?...Oh, Romeo"). For this reason, I find it almost impossible to put this album in just to listen to one song. I play it for either the first half (before 'Intermission') or the second half (post 'Intermission'). Oh yeah, and Anthony Green does high-note assistance on "Flee the Factory". Balls. To. The. Wall (since I've been way too formal).



So, every song on the album is phenomenal and has been my favorite song at one time or another. The weakest is probably "Planning a Prison Break" or "Dead Men Tell No Tales" although the former serves as a good, more-mainstream-sounding track for hooking newcomers to the band. My favorites are 'The War of All Against All', "Broadcast Quality", "Then I Defy You Stars", and "Venona".



This is the most amazing album conceptually I may have ever heard. All other albums are just music, for what it's worth. This is a movement. Hopefully Casey's departure won't keep "The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi" from being another revelation. After seeing them live a couple of weeks ago, though, I'm far from worried."