Reviewed by: Trynity
Rating: 8.5/10
Genre: Alternative/Hardcore Rock

Review:

Background
The foundation of what would become Staple was formed, like so many other bands, at college (this case being Rosedale Bible College). Consisting of vocalist Darin Keim, guitarist Brian Miller, bassist Israel Beachy, and drummer Grant Beachy, Staple was a surprising addition (along with Mortal Treason, Kids in the Way, and Subseven) to Flicker Records, a label whose only real hardcore band at the time was Pillar. Living cheaply in a hotel being renovated by their friend, the four guys are able to practice anytime they want on a third level section of the hotel. As can be seen at any of their live shows, Staple’s fans mean to the world to the band, and they have built a strong fan following. One trait that helps them build such a strong following is the fact that unlike many "hard" bands, Staple has not been afraid to proclaim their faith as the basic principle governing their lives and their music.

The CD
I’m extremely pleased with this CD. For a while, I’ve been waiting for a group to arise that not only nails the aggressive rock style that I love so much, but that also is able to tone is down. Not many bands can play a hardcore aggressive song, followed by a melodic ballad, and maintain the balance between lyrical intensity and gripping imagery. Not afraid to tackle less desirable topics, Staple plows right into them with songs like ‘Deathtrap Daisy,’ a song dealing with pornography that was brought along from their independent EP, and the amazing ‘The Songwriter,’ a poignant call to all artists challenging them to continue to place God first above everything else. Another thing I love about this album is the consistency of quality throughout the album. While most bands and artists are worried about crafting their three radio-worthy singles, Staple has gone out and crafted a well rounded album that never strays from its musical settings. From the amazingly powerful op! ening track "Dictatorship vs. Democracy,’ to the eerie distortion on the albums final track ‘Crusader,’ Staple doesn’t hesitate in making sure every track’s quality never diminishes. Fans will also get a treat out of ‘Rise of the Robots,’ my favorite track, which definitely displays qualities from hardcore bands like Living Sacrifice, Project86, and POD.

Final Recommendation
This is just a great CD. I was really surprised to see such an album coming from Flicker, who are known for lighter rock bands like Everyday Sunday, the Swift, and Stereo Motion, with Pillar being the only exception to that rule. But recently they’ve kicked it up a notch by adding Staple, Mortal Treason, Kids in the Way, and Subseven. Even with most hardcore bands, I usually end up enjoying three or four songs off an album, and then proclaim the rest as fillers. Staple’s album though, is definitely a must have for fans of the more aggressive styles of rock. And if you end up loving the album, the wait until you see them live.