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The Here and Now

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The Here and Now
Studio album by
Architects
Released19 January 2011 (2011-01-19)
RecordedMay–June 2010
StudioThe Omen Room Studios, Garden Grove, California, U.S.
Genre
Length39:15
LabelCentury Media
ProducerSteve Evetts
Architects studio album chronology
Hollow Crown
(2009) 		The Here and Now
(2011) 		Daybreaker
(2012)
Singles from The Here and Now
  1. "Day in Day Out"
    Released: 28 September 2010
  2. "Learn to Live"
    Released: 18 January 2011
  3. "Heartburn"
    Released: 9 May 2011

The Here and Now is the fourth studio album by British metalcore band Architects. It was released on 19 January 2011 through Century Media Records in the United Kingdom and majority of Europe, and 20 January 2011 in the United States. The album was recorded with producer Steve Evetts at his own studio The Omen Room Studios in California.

Background and recording

[edit]

Architects worked with producer Steve Evetts at The Omen Room Studios, Garden Grove, California. The band were excited to record with Evetts because of his expansive repertoire.[1] Carter commented on how he installed confidence in the band as they produced their music.[2] The band members in interviews noted how Evetts strived to capture the sound of the band's live performance to give the record and energetic sound. The band's drummer Dan Searle said on the subject "A lot of bands go for super fake sounding recordings that no band can recapture live and that's exactly what we wanted to move away from. The record really captures the energy that we have as a live band."[3]

While in California, vocalist Sam Carter received vocal training to develop his singing range, where he learnt singing techniques, warm-ups and singing to scales.[2]

During the recording the band was concerned that they were going to alienate their fanbase with the record, however they did not want to record "Hollow Crown Part II".[2] This is in line with the band's desire to always sound different on each record.[1] Nonetheless, by the end of the recording process, the band was confident in the record's sound.[1] The band attributed this change primarily to the fact that they had changed and grown up in the two years since Hollow Crown was released[3] and because the music they were all listening to and were inspired by wasn't metal or punk.[4][5]

The album features guest vocal appearances from Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid and Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan, the latter being a large influence on the group.[2] The decision to include Neufeld was when he offered his vocals when they were both touring Australia in 2010;[1] Puciato was included after coming to watch them record in California and liked the sound of the record and offered to sing on the album, something the band members were excited to do.[2]

Composition

[edit]

Style and theme

[edit]

The album's style been described as metalcore,[6][7] post-hardcore,[8] melodic hardcore,[9][10] and mathcore while possessing shades of emo;[11] a style different from the technical metalcore sound of Hollow Crown.[4][5] The record is defined by its half time rhythmic tempo,[9] complemented by intense drumming, anthemic choruses and a contrast between screamed vocals and clean emo/rock vocals.[7][8] This is also contrasted by more sublime moments in the songs utilising harmonies and electronics giving a grand sound.[9] The first track "Day in Day Out" opens with "discordant guitars and Sam Carter's combination of fierce roars and clean, soaring vocals".[6] During the development of The Here and Now the band felt a lot more positive and appreciative of the level of success they had achieved. This had an effect on the band style, but also a significant influence on the album's lyrics, which became far more positive.[2]

Release and promotion

[edit]

"Day in Day Out" was released digitally as the album's first single on 27 September 2010 in the United Kingdom and majority of Europe, and 28 September 2010 in the United States.[12] It was later accompanied by a music video, which premièred online on 30 November 2010, through Alternative Press website.[13] The band chose the track as the first single because it stylistically sounds closest to Hollow Crown off this record.[3]

The last promotional tours they did for The Here and Now was on a UK tour with Deaf Havana, Tek-One and Heights with their new song "Devil's Island".[14] The tour was well received, Rock Sound gave the band an eight out of ten rating saying praising Carters' command of fans and his "orchestration" of circle pits.[15] Alter The Press! noted how the set list was a balance of The Here and Now and Hollow Crown, commenting that it demonstrates "just how huge both albums are".[16]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Alternative Press[9]
BBC Music(favourable)[6]
Exclaim!(mediocre)[10]
Rock Sound8/10[7]

The album received a very mixed response from critics. While critics noted the subjective nature of their musical departure from the sound of their previous records,[7] and that the record stylistically had a more mainstream edge,[8] they also consistently praised the melodic approach of the album. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic gave the record two and a half stars out of five, criticising Architects' lack of exploration of the melodic approach shown on songs "An Open Letter to Myself" and "Heartburn".[8]

Keith Carman of Alternative Press, in a four out of five review, gave overall praise to the album saying "[...] Architects have never been as refined or grandiose. Familiar without seeming like retread and progressive but far from alienating, The Here and Now is concrete proof that there's still some life left in emotionally charged melodic hardcore."[9] Raziq Rauf when writing for the BBC Music gave the album a favourable review saying "The increased accessibility and diversity of this album should allow them to extend their reach, and while their attitude remains to continue to develop their talents and repertoire, nobody can begrudge them their ambition."[6] Travis Persaud of Exclaim! gave a mediocre review of the record saying "The Here and Now certainly isn't a failure [...] but there are no moments that reach beyond what's already been done, causing the album to be stuck at "good, but I'd rather listen to something else" status."[10] Kevin Stewart-Panko when writing for Rock Sound magazine in an eight out of ten score review noted how the band tried to fit "10 pounds of inspiration into a five-pound song" and this led to slip ups. He further commented that "Architects have completed a study in contrasts on The Here and Now. They're obviously moving beyond their roots, but they need to investigate the value of reigning and corralling their ideas."[7]

Retrospect

[edit]

After the release of the record, the band aimed to distance themselves from its release. Promotion for the record was relatively short, as the band became unimpressed and bored by the music.[17] After doing one phone interview for the press of The Here and Now, Tom Searle asked his manager to not be involved in any interviews or journalist during The Here and Now promotion.[18] The band also regretfully disliked the direction for some of the music videos for the record, particularly "Heartburn", which they begrudgingly said made them look like Westlife.[18] The band didn't enjoy the live performances of the record as they felt the more ballad-like songs lacked the same aggressive power they wanted from their live shows.[4] With their future release Daybreaker the band felt they had a "point to prove".[19] In a 2013 interview Carter commented that they believed their sixth record, Lost Forever // Lost Together was distancing themselves "once and for all" from the "car crash" that was The Here and Now.[17]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Upon its release, the album debuted at number 57 on the UK Album Charts[20] and number 1 on the UK Rock Chart.[21] The singles from the album received rotation on the BBC Radio 1 daytime playlist.[1] Internationally, the record appeared at number 47 on the United States Top Heatseekers chart after selling 900 copies.[22][23] The album received a negative response from their fanbase upon its release.[24]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Sam Carter; all music is composed by Architects[25]

No.TitleLength
1."Day In Day Out"3:10
2."Learn to Live"4:01
3."Delete, Rewind"3:08
4."BTN"3:57
5."An Open Letter to Myself"3:16
6."The Blues"3:16
7."Red Eyes"4:17
8."Stay Young Forever" (featuring Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid)3:02
9."Heartburn"3:37
10."Year In Year Out / Up and Away" (featuring Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan)7:27
Total length:39:15
Japanese bonus tracks[26]
No.TitleLength
11."Day in Day Out" (Big Chocolate remix)4:47
12."Learn to Live" (Big Chocolate remix)4:30
Total length:48:32
Century Media special edition digipak[27]
No.TitleLength
11."Day in Day Out" (Big Chocolate remix)4:47
Total length:44:02
2012 special edition[28]
No.TitleLength
11."Devil's Island"4:07
12."Untitled"3:29
13."Day in Day Out" (Big Chocolate remix)4:47
Total length:51:38

Notes

  • The song "Year In Year Out" ends at minute 5:00. After 30 seconds of silence (5:00 - 5:30), begins the hidden song "Up and Away".

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[30] 63
UK Albums (OCC)[20] 57
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[31] 1
US Top Heatseekers (Billboard)[22] 47

Release history

[edit]
Country Date Label Format Catalog number Source
Japan 19 January 2011 (2011-01-19) Doom Patrol1 CD DOOM-0033 [32]
Austria 21 January 2011 (2011-01-21) Century Media CD
Digipak 		9980312
9980318 		[33]
Germany
Switzerland
Europe
(excl. Austria, Germany and Switzerland) 		24 January 2011 (2011-01-24) [34]
United States 25 January 2011 (2011-01-25) — — [citation needed]
Canada Distort CD DE29 [35]
Australia 28 January 2011 (2011-01-28) Century Media CD
Digipak 		—
— 		[36]
New Zealand
1 Denotes licensing deal: released under the authority of Century Media.
— Denotes unknown or non-existent information.

References

[edit]
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e Drew Maroon (15 April 2011). "Interview: Architects". Mind Equals Blown. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Leah Beresford (3 February 2011). "INTERVIEW: Architects : BLARE". Blare Magazine. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Interview: Architects – "we questioned whether we had taken the change too far but...to write anything else just wouldn't be honest"". Thrash Hits. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Coare, Sam (29 March 2014). James McMahon (ed.). "Exit: Night Enter: Light". Kerrang!. No. 1506. Bauer Media Group. ISSN 0262-6624.
  5. ^ a b Bezer, Terry (April 2014). Alexander Milas (ed.). "Brave New World". Metal Hammer. London, United Kingdom: TeamRock. ISSN 1422-9048.
  6. ^ a b c d Raziq Rauf (24 January 2012). "BBC - Music - Review of Architects - The Here and Now". BBC Music. BBC. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e Kevin Stewart-Panko (6 January 2011). "Architects - The Here And Now | Reviews | Rock Sound". Rock Sound. Freeway Press. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e Jon O'Brien. "Architects - The Here and Now". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e Keith Carman (18 January 2011). "Architects - The Here And Now". Alternative Press. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  10. ^ a b c Travis Persaud (25 January 2011). "Architects The Here and Now". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  11. ^ Tom Aylott (15 December 2012). James McMahon (ed.). "2012: The ultimate rock review". Kerrang!. No. 1445. London: Bauer Media Group. p. 26. ISSN 0262-6624. For some, the big choruses on Architects' last outing, 2011's The Here and Now, were a step in the wrong direction. [...] Having toyed with math-metal and shades of emo, Architects have finally figured out what kind of band they want to be.
  12. ^ "Architects (UK): "Day In Day Out" Single coming soon! - 9/21/2010". Century Media Records. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  13. ^ "Alt Press | APTV | Exclusive: Architects (UK) "Day In Day Out" video". Alternative Press. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  14. ^ "ARCHITECTS To Release 'Devil's Island' Single, 'Untitled' Digital Single; Announce Dates With RISE AGAINST". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  15. ^ Hidden, Chris (February 2012). Ben Patashnik (ed.). "Live: Architects [8]". Rock Sound. No. 157. London, United Kingdom: Freeway Press. p. 92. ISSN 1465-0185.
  16. ^ Connor O'Brien (16 December 2011). "Live Review: Architects (UK) + Deaf Havana - HMV Forum, London (12/16/11)". Alter The Press!. Spin Music. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  17. ^ a b Coare, Sam (2 November 2013). James McMahon (ed.). "Survive & Conquer". Kerrang!. No. 1490. London: Bauer Media Group. pp. 8–9. ISSN 0262-6624.
  18. ^ a b Kelham, Andrew (July 2012). Ben Patashnik (ed.). "Face The Day". Rock Sound. No. 162. London: Freeway Press. pp. 69–71. ISSN 1465-0185.
  19. ^ Matt Borucki (November 2012). "INTERVIEW: Architects « Bring The Noise UK "The lovely Sam Carter and Tom Searle from Architects had a chat with us before their sensational performance at Vans Warped Tour UK"". Bring The Noise UK. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Architects | Artist | Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  21. ^ "2011-02-05 Top 40 Rock & Metal Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  22. ^ a b "Architects - The Here and Now | Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  23. ^ "ARCHITECTS: 'The Here And Now' First-Week Sales Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  24. ^ Bradley Zorgdrager. "Architects - Daybreaker • Metal Reviews • exclaim.ca". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  25. ^ "Architects : The here and now - Record Shop X". Record Shop X. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  26. ^ "RELEASES_DETAIL | DOOM PATROL FOUNDATION / ドゥーム・パトロール・ファンデーション". Doom Patrol Foundation. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  27. ^ "Architects: Here & Now: Digipack: Special Edition (2011): CD: hmv.com". HMV Group. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  28. ^ "Architects: Here & Now: Bonus Tracks: Includes Dvd: Special Edition (2012): CD: hmv.com". HMV Group. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  29. ^ a b "ARCHITECTS これはハードコアではない。メタルコアでもない。ARCHITECTSだ。最新4thアルバム日本先行発売!!! -MUSIC LOUNGE ニュース-". Music Lounge (Japan). Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  30. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  32. ^ "Here And Now(2ボーナストラック)【CD】-Architects (アーキテクツ)｜UK/インディ｜ロック｜音楽｜HMV ONLINE オンラインショッピング・情報サイト". HMV Group. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  33. ^ "ARCHITECTS // The Here And Now +++ EMI - Gute Musik ist besser". EMI Music. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  34. ^ "Architects: Here & Now (2011): CD: hmv.com". HMV Group. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  35. ^ "DISTORT : RELEASES : ARCHITECTS – THE HERE AND NOW". Distort Entertainment. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  36. ^ "HERE AND NOW, THE | Music, Music Genres, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal : JB HI-FI". JB HI-FI. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
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