Search - Postman Syndrome :: Terraforming

The King Crimson of hardcore.

Church of The Flaming Sword | 10/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a crowded hardcore scene that seems to grow more and more stale with each passing minute, The Postman Syndrome is a breath of fresh air. This genre seems to be dominated by groups who recycle the same Slayer or Swedish Death Metal riffs, or they try to be the next Dillinger Escape Plan by blowing everyone away with technicality, and little else. Or even worse, they do the "tried and true" two-chord misanthropic machismo approach (Hello Hatebreed, howya doin?) But TPS are doing something different. While TPS does play some of the technical "math-core", especially the drumming, that is in style right now, there is far more to them than that. In addition to their mathcore insanity, they also combine that with the spacy alternative rock of Failure and Jupiter-era Cave-in, and the prog-rock sensibilties of Pink Floyd and King Crimson. One other thing that is truly amazing is how they place equal emphasis on the soft, delicate melodic parts as they do the heavier sections.



Terraforming, TPS's first and so far only album, is an impressive outing for these young New Jerseyites. "Amputees Make Bad Swimmers" is a nifty oceanic that is both tranquil and turbulent. It even has a little bit of a surf-rock feel to it. "Unfamiliar Ceiling" is an 8 minute folkcore epic with beautiful acoustic guitars and a short but memorable guitar solo 2 minutes into the song. "Interpretive Decorating" has, of all things, flute accompaniment. The final track, which is my favorite, "Volume Fact" has a minute long jazzy intro which is worth the price of admission alone. The ending is a punishing doom metal meltdown that is essentially a variation on the intro's theme.



TPS is one group out there that I can safely say is doing their own thing. For five guys in their early to mid-twenties, they prove to be musicians who seem to far more mature and intelligent than their ages would suggest. The scary thing is, more than likely, these fellows will only get better. I can't wait to hear the second album."

Amazing band with even more amazing potential

Jordan | Miami, FL | 02/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Postman Syndrome is definitely the best band I've heard since Dredg (if you haven't heard them, check them out NOW). At such a young age they have already uncovered an incredible songwriting ability. I'd compare them with bands like Tool, Dredg, Radiohead, etc., for their uniqueness, creativity, and honesty in their music. 'Terraforming' is one of the most eclectic albums I've ever heard, while still maintaining a believable sound. Imagine a band going from a catchy, folky feel, to near death metal with a smooth, musical transition. I find it jaw-dropping how versatile they are. Stand-out tracks of mine are "Hedgehog's Dilemna", "Rotating Crib Toy", "Interpretive Decorating", and "Volume Fact". This band reminds me alot of Thursday, mostly because of their predominantly through-form song structure, raw, unfiltered screaming vocals, and the "purness" that runs through their music.The reason I'm not giving them 5 stars is because 1) There are other records deserving of 5 stars that I believe are better than this one (i.e.: Dredg's El Cielo and Tool's Lateralus). 2) Although one of the strong points of this band is their versatility, sometimes 'Terraforming' comes off as unfocused. With four different members singing and so many different styles of music being explored, sometimes 'Terraforming' almost feels like a compilation album as opposed to one solid band. And 3) I'm looking to the future. I know for a fact that the next album this band puts out will blow this one away, as amazing as this one already is. These guys are still in college, and are bound to continue growing and maturing as artists. Its inevitable. Bottom line is: If you enjoy music that goes well beyond what is expected of the average, check this band out. There's no reason The Postman Syndrome should still be so little known."

Not just another rock band

Mary E. Howlett | New Jersey | 01/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hey, we all know that alternative bands follow the same general format. Not so, here. The Postman Syndrome is not your mother's rock band. This group is original! Not a cover song to be found here. They have an original sound, and these guys are definitely musicians, not just the neighborhood crew who happen to be playing for fun in someone's garage. Their music has depth, and the blending of sounds is incredible. First of all, you have 3, not the usual 2, guitars, and this allows for a full range of musicality. Secondly, there are real, honest to goodness lyrics here that say something. The mixing of voices is done to perfection, and the drumming is outstanding; this guy can really play! This group has passion, and it comes across in this first album. But that's not the end of them. Go catch one of their shows and you'll see what I mean; they've already come out with new things to play. Don't miss out on getting in on the ground floor with The Postman Syndrome. They're headed for the big time, and you'll be able to say that you were there when it all started. Check out their CD, Terraforming, today. The more you listen, the more you'll be hooked."