Roaring Onto the Scene
Posted February 23, 2017
By JJFrancesco_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Feeling like a lost treasure from a Tooth & Nail Records time capsule from the late 2000's, Hearts Like Lions wields an edgy, raw rock sound with piercing vocals many bands eschew nowadays. Hearts Like Lions would have felt at home with bands like Ivoryline back in the day, and fit well with bands like Artifex Pereo now.
Boasting a crisp intensity that rarely lets up, cuts like "You're On Your Own (Enough)" and "Make Your Move" hit hard with a fierce blend of melodies, harmonies, riffs, and roaring vocal lines fitting of the band's name. "Thank You Very Little" feels like a centerpiece to the album, with a chorus that reappears later on, serving as a bit of a counterbalance to the energy of the rest of the album.
Thematically, the band tackles issues relevant to youth: honesty, integrity and the power of words. These are familiar topics, but nonetheless important. I do wish there were a few songs that stood out from the pack, as it's easy to get one song mixed up with another at times. But there is an abundance of rocking talent going into this, and it's easy to come away excited for what they will do next.
The Bottom Line: With If I Never Speak Again, Hearts Like Lions succeeds in delivering a sound increasingly missing from the Christian rock scene, launching themselves on a promising trajectory.
Song to Download Now:
"Thank You Very Little" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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