Engine Down - To Bury Within the Sound   (Lovitt) Engine Down play gorgeous, intricate post-hardcore in the manner of Sunny Day Real Estate, without the pretentious prog-rock melodramatics that have sunk SDRE as of late, while adding the jerky rhythms and frustrated intensity that one would expect from this band that claims the membership of ex-members of the dearly departed Sleepytime Trio. The vocals here dip into Jeremy Enigk territory on a fairly consistent basis (you know the drill: alternately hushed and wailing, ultimately leading to a tortured outburst of wrought emotion), but touches of piano and cello give Engine Down a certain dark, somber quality that is awfully refreshing in an often stagnant emo/math field. The band's DC area roots are also evident, with the dual vocalist attacks and stopwatch precision timing of "Trial Error" and "Intent to Pacify" giving nods to Jawbox and the Crownhate Ruin, respectively. To Bury Within The Sound is a draining tour-de-force that perfectly illustrates that chaos can indeed be beautiful (see the spastic, soul-bared "Depth Perception" for any proof needed), and it almost makes me wish that emo hadn't become such the dirty word that is has, because Engine Down puts the entire genre to shame.  (erika) [back]