It’s been a very, very long four years for me as a fan of Pierce the Veil. Their last album was released in 2012, and only just now are we getting another one. However, it was well worth the wait as “Misadventures” is everything a fan could have hoped for.
Sticking to Their Sound
My first impression of this album is that they’ve really stuck to their sound. And I think it’s absolutely fabulous. The sound they’ve crafted for themselves is very unique as it is, so I see no problem in continuing with it.
They really like to use a good mixture of clean vocals and screaming. I would say in general, they’re about half and half. While this style of music has increased in popularity in recent years, there are a lot of bands that don’t do it well. I hear a lot of songs where the singer either can’t sing or can’t scream… so they really should have stuck to the one they could do. Another big problem I see is the transitioning between the two. A lot of times it’s awkward and choppy. Such is not the case with PTV. Vic is very competent at both in my opinion, and they move between the two styles of singing quite seamlessly.
One of the main things that I think makes their sound so unique is Vic’s voice. He’s a fullygrown mann in his 30’s, and yet his voice is rather high pitched. The band gets a lot of hate for this, with many saying that he sounds like a girl. Personally, I think his voice is quite beautiful and I really love it. I get that it’s not for everyone, what I don’t understand is the hate he gets. It’s actually funny to me sometimes, like, it’s not like he can control what kind of voice he was born with?
Anyway, their excellent use of both clean vocals and screaming as well as Vic’s very unique voice have maintained their always very strong presence on Misadventures. The undeniable catchiness they always seem to create has not been lost either. To be honest, the songs on this album could have been on Selfish Machines or Collide With the Sky and they wouldn’t have been out of place. Again though, I love their sound so very much and I think this is an awesome thing.
The Only Difference is Improvement
While they don’t seem to have been overly experimental with their sound, four years of practice has definitely paid off. Everything sounds just a little tighter. It’s a little more mature, without losing the fun, high energy feel they’ve always encompassed. I think Vic’s voice sounds better too, if that’s even possible!
A lot of the songs have a very… epic feel to them. By this I mean rather than just a little tune to sing along to, the songs are more of an event. They’re an experience. They use quieter, slower lines and move up from there, slowly increasing the intensity while creating some real suspense that always ends in a massive punk-esque crescendo of awesomeness.
Their Lyrics Always Tell a Story
Not unlike their past efforts, Misadventures captivates as well as any story, written or spoken. While not a concept album, each song is more than a collection of words and choruses. They create a world of their own and pull you into the story that’s taking place. Often if feels like you’re thrown into the middle of the action, but I think that’s the best way to do it. Maybe it’s the creative writer in me, but so many of the songs create characters in my head, and I feel like I’m just getting a little glimpse into their life.
Whether or not others see this side of their music, one cannot possibly deny the depth and meaning they put into their lyrics. They have a really good, strong message of strength, positivity and being yourself. This is as evident as ever before on Misadventures. Everything they write is deep and meaningful in the most poetic of ways.
Desperate times and desperate measures,
I’ve come so close, my hopes are severed.
A short, simple line, and yet definitely one of my favourites – from “The Divine Zero.” They just have such a way with words, I often wish I wrote some of the lines I hear in their music, just because they’re so brilliant.
The songs are packed with a lot of energy and have a real fun, occasionally even dancey feel to them, and yet they are peppered with some much heavier parts. A notable example of this is right around the end of “Dive In.” You go from head bobbing to head banging real fast, and it’s this dynamic that makes things so exciting. This song in particular is making me hope and pray that they come back to Toronto real soon, I can only imagine what this song will sound like live – and the moshing that will accompany the ending.
Conclusion
If you’re already a fan of Pierce the Veil, you’ll definitely like this album. Bottom line: it’s a slightly improved version of their last couple of albums – and it’s a beautiful thing. Misadventures contains everything that makes Pierce the Veil unique, without being unoriginal. If this is your first time hearing about the band, or first time listening then I do hope you give them a chance. If you’re into that post-hardcore, singing/screaming combination kind of sound, then you’ll love these guys. If you like bouncier, catchy music then you’ll probably like these guys too. Even if you tend to lean more towards heavier stuff, they’ll have something for you too.
I’ve been a PTV fan for many years and I’m really in love with this album – they’ve certainly done us all proud, even if it did take four years!
What do you think about the new album? I’d love to hear thoughts from any fan – old or brand new!
Want to Listen?
It is available for purchase on Amazon:
Steph I want to thank you for this article on the band Pierce the Veil and their new album Misadventures. You’re a great writer and I can see your passion about PTV. Don’t ever let anything in this life change that passion. A lot of people now a days would die for that kind of passion. Cheers great job.
Thanks Tim! I really appreciate all your kind words 🙂
Great post! It’s funny that people think the main singer’s voice sounds like a girl as to me it sounds like a youthful man with a story tell. It’s as if it expresses his pain, love, and joy. And that is the reason why we all listen to music. To express what we are too afraid to express. I am wondering if you could tell me their previous album? As I like to get that for myself as well.
Everything you said is exactly right! His voice is so full of emotion and that’s why I love it so much. Their previous album is called Collide With The Sky. It’s absolutely brilliant as well 🙂
I’ll be honest, the whole time I’ve been reading your review, I’ve been looping the Divine Zero. I absolutely love it.
They really remind me of Lostprophets, which I used to be a big fan of. I’m still a fan of their music, although I can’t support them as a band anymore, due to the lead singers horrible legal troubles, but that’s neither here nor there.
However, I love that type of sound. PTV, you can not only hear the emotion, but you really do *feel* the emotion as you are listening. That is a sign of a genuine artist.
Yeah I heard what happened with the Lostprohets singer. Such a shame.
Anyway, I’m so glad you see the emotion in their music and really appreciate it for what it is. It’s lost on too many people!
This is a great review! I really enjoy how you broke down every part of their music. I think you are right about Vic’s voice. At times it can get a little screechy but it’s what makes him unique. I think it really fits the overall tone of the band.
Great vocals, great music, and lyrics to tie it all together.
So glad you like it! I honestly love his voice, it really is so unique. Thanks for reading 🙂
I do enjoy listening to all types of music, I use music for my mood. when I am low I listen to fast music and when I am over energized I use more mellow music to help me to relax.
This group is brand new to me, sounds like worth checking their music out. I thank you for sharing this music on your website, I am always looking for new music to add to my collection.
You’re welcome! They are worth checking out for sure They’re different but very good!