Dream State’s new record is five songs of earnest attempts at creating rock epics. Despite their best efforts, this is unlikely to set the alt-rock world alight. A lot of screaming searches to underpin and map out some melodic glory. Sadly it all sounds rather leaden and lethargic.
Of course, it all rocks out in a manly fashion and songs such as ‘White Lies’, ‘Solace’ or ‘In This Hell’ may hold deep meaning to some people and are undeniably heady and delivered with enthusiasm, but at times the emotional extravagance becomes a little embarrassing. The eagerness to please therefore contains some titanic hooks, and some searing energy in a live forum may lead to moshpit levels of frothing hysteria and no frills fury.
“I got myself lost again,” they howl in ‘White Lies’ and this is due to chasing the white lights and fighting their addictions. The production values are top-shelf and the result is wild and raw, but the ear-splitting delirium wears thin due to the repetition of the theme. There is stateliness to some of what they desire to do, but unfortunately the repeated bludgeoning of the same ideas doesn’t allow them to get away with it.
6/10
