BB

                                                                                                         Hell Or High Water

   What is so simple but at the same time, so complicated is the define definition I take from As Cities Burn.  For awhile, I wasn't sure how to explain this.  It was a little intimidating to find a way to open this band.  I figured I would just make you all confused by expressing my thoughts.  This is one of those things that is so hard to explain, it's at the tip of your tongue.  I try not to tell people so they can interpret As Cities Burn themselves.  To be honest, I have no clue what this whole top paragraph is telling you.

     On April 21, 2009, As Cities Burn released their third full-length album titled 'Hell Or High Water'.  As of April 16, 2008, almost a year, As Cities Burn posted in a bulletin on Myspace that they will be at home and writing for the new album.  "Expect more of the direction we began heading in Come Now, Sleep", which was released in 2007.  They were right about the same sound.  After former vocalist, T.J. Bonnette left the band for family reasons, his brother, Cody Bonnette, took over the vocals.  With Cody in hands with the vocals, the screams were cut out. 

  On December 17, 2006, the band released a demo of their upcoming album.  With fans surprised by the complete lack of screaming, it was obvious the band took a turn in their sound.  Some of the older fans were disappointed in the new sound.  They didn't appreciate the new change and wished for the old sound of Son, I Loved you At Your Darkest.  During this time, As Cities Burn had been through so much.  With going on hiatus (decided to stay together after major support from fans) and losing two members, their sound was bound to change.

  As Cities Burn currently consists of Cody Bonnette (vocals rhythm, guitar, keys), Colin Kimble (bass, guitars, backup vocals), Aaron Lunsford (drums), and Chris Lott (lead guitar).  As an unsigned act, the band drew attention to Solid Stage Records, a subsidiary of Tooth And Nail Records which signed them in 2004.  Ever since, the band has released two self-titled EPs, and three full-length albums.  In live performances, As Cities Burn plays majority of Come Now, Sleep and Hell Or High Water, with rare performances of previous acts.

  "I really like their raw/real sound and their songs actually have a lot of meaning to them if you listen to the words. It's not like some bands these days that just write about meaningless stuff. They are just real and not perfect yet they are still perfect in every way. Make sense?"  As Cities Burn is pretty 'legit', you could say.  With new and upcoming bands singing about their man-crushes and what to do about their previous loves, its rare to see a meaningful lyric these days.  As Cities Burn provides the chance of finding yourself within their lines.  Many interpret their words into issues of their own.  " 'Made Too Pretty' has actually changed me a lot. I interpret it as God made us so pretty to begin with and we just keep changing our bodies, trying to look good, when God already made us too pretty. We are taking something already beautiful and we are getting so distracted on trying to make it pretty that we don't realize how pretty it already is. After understanding the song it gave me perspective on myself and how I feel about my being."

  Listening to As Cities Burn really allowed my to question my belief.  In some songs, it made me think, "What really is grace?".  Did you know there is over twelve definitions? From what I got, it's a virtue coming from God.  Also reading and understanding their lyrics told me we think of grace of something it's not.  Like we abuse it or misunderstand it's being.  In 'Contact', to me it was like they were trying to say God doesn't tell you what to do.  We think he is the answer to everything when really, what we say and do is a reflection of him.  Like some are too dependent on his being, we forget to think for ourselves, "hearts aren't really our guides...your voice was really my own".

  In Hell or High Water, As Cities Burn definitely took the same turn as Come Now, Sleep.  I personally enjoy the 'new' sound.  With the direction they are taking, they can experiment with new instruments and sound.  You can tell they explored with new/different sounds. "not every song sounds the same and there are a lot of interesting sounds in each song, not necessarily made by an instrument, like glass bottles".  With a progressive sound throughout the whole album, As Cities Burn is not afraid to shine both ways.  I remember sitting in the car listening to 'Contact' and my mom saying, "I really like the melody of this song, very slow and relaxing." So I left the car and when I returned she looked at me, "What happened? Did you change the CD or something?" This is an example that there isn't really a define sound to Hell Or High Water.

  When As Cities Burn decides to move forward with a fourth album, I'm expecting they aren't looking to turn around on that road.  With the members growing up, their music has grown too.  I'm looking forward with their new experiments in music and having an idea of what to think.  I wouldn't say this is a life-changing band, but it could lead up to a life-changing experience. "Who knows they could end up making an album that shocks everyone and is not what anyone expected. Ha."

                                                                                                                         -BB