Altsounds - The Assembly Line - Graves Like Oceans [Album]

I am no expert in Emo music. To be honest I am really unsure of what it is, but listening to the unsigned Thornfin Nguyen from New York, I can see why there is a market for it, and The Assembly Line should definitely have a place in the genre.

You could trawl through Myspace for days upon days upon days listening to unsigned bands and their musical meaderings, but you do well to find an artist, or a band that sound as accomplished or as polished as Thornfin Nguyen.

The Assembly Line is Nguyens’ debut full length album, and a follow up to his 6 track EP that he had previously offered for free to anyone who asked for a copy. The Assembly Line ended up having to give away nearly a thousand copies.

Part of the secret to The Assembly Line is producer Mark Troth Lewis, who is obviously quite good at his job. He has produced an album of high quality and given Nguyen every chance possible of being noticed on a wider stage than merely Myspace.

From listening to Graves Like Oceans it is obvious that Nguyen has a nice voice, if entirely in an American Soft Rock band kind of way. There is also no doubt that Nguyen is quite an accomplished musician too. On Graves Like Oceans he is also backed up by, what I can only assume, are session musicians.

The problem is though, that on Graves Like Oceans, so many of the songs sound the same. Yes perhaps this is the Emo way, songs that are full of self loathing, self doubt, and self depreciation, but do they all really have to sound the same?

There are some highlights on the album., notably the lovely Piano intro of Track One “Hope and Expectation are not the Same” and Track Six “11:11” the darker and more edgier side to the “melodramatic pop song”. There is also Track Seven “ Awake” that again brings back the piano, this time coupled with a quite haunting vocal and some restrained strings.

I can see why The Assembly Line has a following, even if Nguyen doesn’t have the backing of a record label. I am sure in time there will be a label that will pick up on Nguyens’ undoubted ability to sing and play piano and guitar, but I am sure that whatever label does pick him up, they may just package Ngufem a little better. Perhaps form a band, add a female vocalist and mix up the song repertoire a bit.

A whole Emo album from start to finish may be heaven for some, but for most it can get a little disheartening. Well for me anyway.

the Assembly Line [ALBUM OUT NOW!!!!!] on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads