The SmashUp; apparently named due to the band’s opinion that they can “smash up” a number of genres seamlessly and ignore the boundaries of pigeon-holing themselves into one musical style. Unfortunately this (most commonly referred to as) post-hardcore five piece from New York have not quite blended the genres as smoothly as they think. "The Sea And The Serpents Beneath", their latest album, comes across as what can only be described as Every Time I Die trying to be a bit more “Emo” where you’re never quite sure whether to be heavily moshing or gently swaying next to your boyfriend/girlfriend. The album artwork is pretty cool with an old painting style scene depicting a kraken-like creature about to lay waste to a small fisherman’s boat. It’s a shame then that despite this nautical themed imagery and the fitting sea-worthy song titles, it doesn’t really seem to influence the music from an imaginative stand-point.

Yes, 'To The White Sea' is haunting with its creeping piano melody and gentle wave sounds, but this is one of hardly any references to the big blue, or anything in it for that matter. As we crash into 'Set Loose Black Sail' there’s a heavy dose of thrashing drums and double-layered vocals, much like Atreyu’s pairing of intermittent screamo in its background and melody driven singing at the forefront. Throw in some fast-paced distorted riffage and it’s quite familiar territory, well, familiar if bands like Every Time I Die, Story Of The Year and A Static Lullaby are already in your library. So far I felt a little let down as far as hearing something fresh and exciting. All hope was lost, until I reached track four; 'Compass Adrift'. It seemed to stand out amongst others for some reason, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it until I’d finished listening to the whole album through. The song starts with soothing guitar arpeggios that slowly build into a slow-paced but catchy hard rock song. We’ve lost the screamo...completely. Sean Cuthbert has decided to turn into Incubus’ Brandon Boyd and Lostprophets’ Ian Watkins love-child. And believe me, this is a good thing. His voice is quite annoying at times, almost sounding like someone trying to sound American, but the choruses’ laid back lyrics and cool melody make up for this. The over enunciation of words does crop up quite a bit through the album and the lyrics can seem TOO clear if you know what I mean, however on the whole, this track is a highlight - better off without the over complicated riffs and screaming vocal break downs.

Talking of Ian Watkins, he seems to appear again on 'To Live And Die'. A track that sounds like something pulled straight off of the ‘Prophets’ "Start Something" album. Even the vocal harmonies’ sound so familiar I have to check my iTunes isn’t on library shuffle. I’m very confused at this point. I’m all up for mixing genres but there’s such a variety in styles and influences here, it seems that they’re just trying to please everyone from the long standing hardcore adults to the teen crowd who are still working their way through Rock 101. There’s a nice little breezy (quite literally) interval in the form of 'Blood Meridian', which has a soothing keyboard melody that leads to the finale 'When The Sky Opens'. Nothing too different here though, as double layered vocals are joined once again by distorted guitar and pounding drums. Although it is a decent hardcore assault that tries to leave you on a high (and just about does) with some great double-kick breakdowns and punk-like speed. I really want to love this album, but instead I only like it. It will fit nicely into my personal collection but most likely just for a couple of standout tracks that are actually the only ones where The SmashUp aren’t trying so hard to copy others.