Killing Kids With Screamo

In the last few years, both Victory Records and Epitaph Records have done an especially good job at signing new, at least somewhat promising, bands and recording their debut records with the intention of smoothing out any original edges and punting them into the vast arena of generic music.

From First To Last's Epitaph debut, "Dear Diary, My Teenage Angst Has A Bodycount," makes a valiant effort at defying the mold set forth for it. The record is a mix of well-performed - but standard - screamo, tight indie rock and a couple poor attempts at hardcore.

First: the highlights. "I Liked You Better Before You Were Naked on the Internet" is by far the best song on the album. It recalls the Postal Service, if Ben Gibbard inhaled about 15 helium balloons before performing. It closes with intensifying drums that lead perfectly into "Featuring Some of Your Favorite Words," the band's best use of their bread and butter: Screamo a la Brand New's "Your Favorite Weapon."

While their lyrics aren't always a thrill-a-minute ("Note to self: I miss you terribly/ This is what we call a tragedy" on "Note To Self,") they use well-placed melodies and instrumentals to deem their songs serviceable.

The lowlights are a little more prevalent. The aforementioned lyrics barely dip above the level of mediocrity with a few exceptions. From First To Last doesn't seem to mind rewriting some A Static Lullaby songs and almost blatantly rips off Thrice on a few occasions, most notably on the misleading single, "Riding the Wings of Pestilence."

What's so misleading about it? Well, for one, it's the single and features what those in the business like to call "a bro-mosh part for the kids." This standard "chugga-chugga-growl" formula wouldn't be that horrible if not for the fact that there isn't anything even remotely similar to it on the album. Secondly, the melody is directly lifted from any one of a few songs on Thrice's "The Illusion of Safety."

Lastly, and this really doesn't relate too much to the actual song: Haven't there been enough of dudes wearing girls' black jeans, dying their hair black, rocking black eyeliner and screaming like linebackers? Just saying.