Scream! Shout! Say Nothing was first conceived in an Irish pub a decade ago; after previous "serious" bands for all five members - Ben Davies, Ben Street, Chris Hollis, Dan Magee and Jamie Dunn - this was always thought of as a project with no aim other than making music they all enjoy.
Within a year, the post-hardcore outfit were preparing to set off in a bus bought for £500 from a local pool team, to play gigs up and down the UK. Graffiti-style pool balls splashed across the side of their mechanically frail ride, with the help of their new label Scylla Records, and a large percentage of the staff of the RAC, Scream Shout played their first UK tour. The following four years saw two EPs, support slots with Hell Is For Heroes, Enter Shikari, Don Broco and Deaf Havana, and many more tours (in a slightly less catastrophic bus).
Within a year, the post-hardcore outfit were preparing to set off in a bus bought for £500 from a local pool team, to play gigs up and down the UK. Graffiti-style pool balls splashed across the side of their mechanically frail ride, with the help of their new label Scylla Records, and a large percentage of the staff of the RAC, Scream Shout played their first UK tour. The following four years saw two EPs, support slots with Hell Is For Heroes, Enter Shikari, Don Broco and Deaf Havana, and many more tours (in a slightly less catastrophic bus).
A five-year writing and recording process was not the original plan for Threads. But, true to the band's mission statement, this was not a project that was going to get in the way of 'real life': university, house-moving, job changes and a six-month marine biology project in Cambodia (no, really) meant that sessions laying down tracks for the new album were few and far between.
So here we are. With a ridiculous name shortened to Scream Shout, Threads is finally here.
After my initial listen to the album, the 'stand out' song for me is the title track, Threads. I'm not usually a big fan of this kind of music, but I really like how intense the vocals are, and how they break with emotion throughout. This rawness gives Threads an edginess which is captivating and brilliant in conveying the intensity of the lyrics.
The album overall is just the right amount of 'heavy'; if a song has any 'screamo' in I run a mile, I can't enjoy something that hurts my ears so much! But Threads is thoroughly enjoyable, despite containing elements of 'screamo', albeit mild. It works well because the more intense parts of the vocals are still distinguishable words, and the powerful drum beat takes a back seat so you aren't too overwhelmed. I really like these elements in the track Hold 'Em Up, but I also love the contrasting track The Hardest Part, which seems a lot calmer and upbeat than the other tracks whilst still including strong percussion to give it that rocky edge.I think this track would definitely the favourite with listeners, as it's catchy in a non-cheesy way yet not so repetitive that you're bored after a minute; I could listen to it 3 times in a row and still not be bored! We Bake We Sew is similarly more relaxed than the other tracks; coming towards the end of the album, the two tracks are a nice 'wind down' after the overwhelming tracks at the start of the album!
The album overall is just the right amount of 'heavy'; if a song has any 'screamo' in I run a mile, I can't enjoy something that hurts my ears so much! But Threads is thoroughly enjoyable, despite containing elements of 'screamo', albeit mild. It works well because the more intense parts of the vocals are still distinguishable words, and the powerful drum beat takes a back seat so you aren't too overwhelmed. I really like these elements in the track Hold 'Em Up, but I also love the contrasting track The Hardest Part, which seems a lot calmer and upbeat than the other tracks whilst still including strong percussion to give it that rocky edge.I think this track would definitely the favourite with listeners, as it's catchy in a non-cheesy way yet not so repetitive that you're bored after a minute; I could listen to it 3 times in a row and still not be bored! We Bake We Sew is similarly more relaxed than the other tracks; coming towards the end of the album, the two tracks are a nice 'wind down' after the overwhelming tracks at the start of the album!
It is abundantly clear that Scream Shout have dedicated a lot over the past decade to master their sound, and it has paid off in this brilliant 50 minutes of talent.
Scream Shout will be performing in the Scylla Records Tour in July, you can get your tickets here.
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