By Dusty Ray
It has been said that an ant can carry up to 100 times its own body weight. Be the Ant shows this entomological strength through the music on their latest album, Breathe Deeply Stomata.
Trying to pinpoint the sound of Be the Ant can be tough. At the Drive In, Coheed and Cambria, and even a little Bryan Scary peek through the cracks of this dense and technical release. The instrumentation is terse and impressive – varying rhythmic changes, harmonic bass, and complex guitar lines reveal the talent of the band. Emo-esque vocals add contrast to the progressive song composition (and can become unbearably annoying at points), but somehow this does not detract from the unexpected catchiness of the album.
“This Brotherhood is a Union” best exemplifies Be the Ant’s sound. Subtle genre-jumps from ‘70s bro-rock to scaling Spanish guitar ballads occur underneath the vocals without causing a distraction. Be the Ant works with a musical contrast and drive that sounds like the best of the Mars Volta.
“Remember This” is a turning point on the cut – a mellow mood bleeds into the final tracks “Too Humans” and “Perigee.” Again, Be the Ant reveals its technical prowess and keen songwriting ability, showing the listener that they are musicians not to be messed with.
Post-Hardcore would be the best way to describe Be the Ant, and if you enjoy any of the previously mentioned bands, you will love Breathe Deeply Stomata. The quirkiness and originality of Be the Ant cannot be denied; they are certainly a powerhouse that you will most likely hear more of in the near future.
myspace.com/betheant
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