REVIEW: The Architects – Border Wars (Episode 1)

July 16th, 2013

Matthew Leimkuehler

Artist: The Architects
Album: Border Wars (Episode 1)
Genre: Rock
Record Label: Self-Released

Rock n’ roll for the sake of rock n’ roll. It’s not glamorous or glorified, it’s simply four people writing songs for the love of music. This is the best way to describe the first installment into The Architects‘ (US) new EP/graphic novel series, Border Wars. The music is timeless and the songs are irresistible, making this the band’s best effort to date.

The record blasts open with the ferociously driven number, “Peter Fonda.” This track stands out due to the intense punk rock atmosphere it brings to the record. The gripping vocals of singer/guitarist Brandon Phillips come off as the perfect mixture of rough around edges, an almost perfect match for the vibrant number.

Slower, yet still riveting is the second track of the record, “We’re Goin’ Live.” This track sets the bar for the descent into the meat of the album, a collection of fantastic tracks with influence ranging from Springsteen (“Lucky”) to The Who (“I Chose Wrong”) to American Idiot era Green Day (“Heartbreaker”). Yes, it’s true–this record is good enough to garnish comparisons to some of the most fascinating rock n’ roll efforts of the last two centuries. Most notable is “Heartbreaker,” a song so simple, yet so undeniably beautiful. Phillips boasts the timeless chorus, “She’s gonna be a heartbreaker/train wrecks, hot sex, my darling traitor.” Border Wars is full of songs ready to hold their own in 2013 while retaining their value in fans for years to come.

The record rightfully closes as strong as it opens with the dark and eerie cut, “The Shivers.” It can be debated which roars more in this track: Phillips’ voice, as he seductively shouts “give me the shivers/give me the shakes/give me the goddamn creeps/I’ll take all I can take,” or the fantastic guitar work that runs parallel. It is an undoubtedly strong ending to an EP worthy of rock n’ roll praise.

Rating: 9/10
Written by: Matthew Leimkuehler