Every so often, a band rises from the ashes of another, carrying the weight of past glories while striving to forge a new identity. Many Eyes, led by the iconic Keith Buckley, attempts just that with their debut album, “The Light Age”. Known for his invigorating work with Every Time I Die, Buckley joins forces with the indomitable Nick Bellmore and Charlie Bellmore in a bid to explore new sonic landscapes. The anticipation has been mounting since the announcement, especially given that it’s been almost two years since the disbandment of Buckley’s previous outfit. This freshly minted collaboration with the Bellmore brothers promised a blend of grunge rock and hardcore, setting high expectations with each passing month.
From the outset, “Revelation” introduces us to the world of Many Eyes with a track that is both aggressive and melodically rich. However, it’s a track that wrestles with its own identity. The verses offer a vigorous pulse, yet the chorus stumbles, failing to land a memorable impact. Following this, “Future Proof”, one of the early singles, maintains a similar struggle with familiarity. Its polished production and undeniably infectious hook feel somewhat safe, treading a path fans can follow easily without offering anything groundbreaking.
Perhaps sensing this, the album’s pacing picks up dramatically with “Mystic Cord”. Here, Buckley’s lyrical genius glimmers, invoking raw emotion that harkens back to his Every Time I Die days. The intense repetition of the phrase “And I will not put dirt on a mass grave” reverberates with haunting clarity, providing a much-needed jolt to the listener’s senses. Contrasting sharply, the next track, “Third”, fails to sustain this momentum. It veers into a softer, more ballad-like territory that feels a tad misaligned within the album’s broader context.
The true standout and perhaps the album’s most aggressive offering is “Harbinger”. This track embodies the “end of the world” energy that Buckley alluded to in pre-release interviews. The aggressive riffs and thunderous drumming by Nick Bellmore elevate the album’s intensity, showcasing what Many Eyes can achieve when firing on all cylinders. Yet, this is followed by “Speechless”, a track that does little to sustain the album’s aggressive edge, landing more as filler than a standout.
“Servant” and “Amateurs” offer a gripping middle section to the album. Filled with resonant chords and gritty vocals, they capture a more authentic blend of the band’s grunge and hardcore influences. Charlie Bellmore‘s contributions shine here, his guitar work meticulously complementing Buckley’s vocal prowess. Unfortunately, “Enough” feels underdeveloped, failing to capitalize fully on the album’s mid-section strength.
Closing the album is “The Rainbow”, a track that admittedly adheres to a more traditional ballad structure. While it doesn’t overstay its welcome, it also doesn’t provide the climactic ending one might hope for in such a dynamic debut. Instead, it leaves the listener in a reflective state, pondering the journey Many Eyes has taken them on.
In assessing the entirety of “The Light Age”, it’s evident that Many Eyes is still seeking its definitive sound. Tracks like “Harbinger” and “Mystic Cord” showcase the band’s potential when they fully embrace their more aggressive tendencies. However, the album’s inconsistent pacing and occasional reluctance to explore beyond safe boundaries suggest a band still finding its footing.
My favorite tracks on the album are undoubtedly “Mystic Cord” and “Harbinger”. These songs encapsulate what makes Many Eyes a project worth following—the fusion of lyrical depth with relentless instrumental energy. Despite its flaws, “The Light Age” offers glimpses of brilliance that hint at a promising future for the band.
Carlos’ Rating: 7/10
Pre-orders: https://dthw.sh/thelightage
- Revelation
- Future Proof
- Mystic Cord
- Third
- Harbinger
- Speechless
- Servant
- Amateurs
- Enough
- The Rainbow
Recording Lineup:
Vocals/ Lyrics/ Songwriter – Keith Buckley
Producer/ Songwriter/ Guitar/ Drums/ Bass – Nick Bellmore
Guitar/ Songwriter/ Bass/ Keys – Charlie Bellmore
Live Lineup:
Vocals – Keith Buckley
Drums – Nick Bellmore
Bass – Sean Vallie
Guitar – Craig Vittori
Recorded and mixed by Nick Bellmore at Dexters Lab Recording in Milford, CT
Assistant Engineer William Hayes
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound
Additional vocals recorded by Anthony Potenza
All songs written by Keith Buckley, Nick Bellmore and Charlie Bellmore.
Art Direction & Design by Nick Steinhardt & Ryan Sanders for 23in
Produced by Nick Bellmore
Executive Producer Jamey Jasta
MANY EYES North American Tour Dates (w/ Sum 41):
08/29: Grand Rapids, MI @ The Pyramid Scheme **
08/30: Chicago, IL @ Subterranean **
08/31: Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge **
09/04 San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic
09/06 Portland, OR @ Theater Of The Clouds
09/07 Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theater
09/08 Boise, ID @ Revolution Center
09/10 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
09/11 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
09/12 Waukee, IA @ Vibrant Music Hall
09/14 Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre
09/15 Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
09/16 Moon Township, PA @ UPMC Events Center
09/20: Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar ** (MANY EYES Album Release Show)
09/23 Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore
09/24 Orlando, FL @ The Orlando Amphitheater at Central Florida Fairgrounds
09/28 Austin, TX @ H-E-B
09/29 Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
09/30 Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/02 Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
10/03 Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube Theater
10/05 Las Vegas, NV @ Bakkt Theater
10/09: St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag ** (MANY EYES Album Release Show)
10/11: Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s ** (MANY EYES Album Release Show)
**MANY EYES ONLY
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