Painting in Vibrant Colors| Posted June 16, 2016
It's been a while since a proper full-length House of Heroes release. Known for their unique throwback rock sound as well as profound, personal and blunt lyrics, House of Heroes became a critical darling (if not a commercial one) when they entered the scene in 2006 with Say No More. It's fitting that they are joining the Summer of Rock Powerhouses with their long-awaited new release.
Colors finds them doing what they do best. Any of these songs should please the HoH junkie and reference their roots. "God" and "Feel" are some of the band's most daring thematic endeavors yet, playing devil's advocate to explore deep social and theological issues, similar to "Comfort Trap" from Cold Hard Want.
"Rat" is a rip-roaring classic of a rocker. "Colors Run" is exactly the kind of fun you'd expect from a single. "We Make Our Stars" is the obligatory ballad, but even there the rock is amped up a few notches. "Colors Die Out" aspires to follow in the "epic closer" tradition of predecessors, but doesn't go out on quite as big a punch. "Shots Fired" marks a slow moment for the album, but probes even darker territory than past songs.
This is arguably one of the darkest albums the band has ever done, with a lot of deep themes of our broken condition explored. There's still a fair degree of fun, but Suburba this is not. The grit in the vocals and music definitely gives this album a unique flare. None of it is really new ground, but the band is more consistently immersed in this grit than previously. It makes for a good fit with the BadChristian label, keeping the band's signature offerings intact and expanding even more on what they do well.
While there's not a bad track in the bunch, the album as a whole won't be challenging The End is Not the End as the band's magnum opus. However, those who have missed the sound that only the Heroes bring should find another album to treasure and savor.
The Bottom Line: The Summer of Rock Powerhouses has found one of its rawest and most brutally honest blockbusters, and this is sure to be another critically adored landmark in the band's lauded catalog.
Song to Download Now:
"Colors Run" (Get it on iTunes here.)
to add lyrics if not listed.
