“Better”
This review was originally written for Music Scene Media.
As a NJ native, I was excited to get to review a band from my home state. I’m pretty proud of our alternative scene, and bands like Palisades are great examples of what we can do. The band released “Better” on March 11 as the first single for their new album, Reaching Hypercritical. This single and album feature a new lineup, with Brandon Elgar moving from bass and back-up vocals to being the band’s front man.
Even with a new lineup, the song stays true to Palisades’ Nu Metal roots. Elgar uses primarily clean vocals, saving the screams for the backup vocal accents. His vocal style is reminiscent of early 2000’s metal and alternative bands, and the passion in his voice is raw. The instrumentation creates a heavy backdrop, with repeated and intense guitar riffs and unrelenting percussion. Together, the vocals and instrumentation convey a feeling of desperately wanting to grow; pained but also hopeful.
Elgar believes that this single is an indication of where the band is headed, and of their hopes for the future. The line “I wanna feel better” can be heard repeatedly, representing the band’s desire to keep moving forward. “Better” is a strong single and makes me excited to hear what the rest of Reaching Hypercritical has to offer.
