It’s only been like six months since Arrows Over Athens waltzed into my Golden life, and now that I think about it – it’s been too long. Last time we chatted about the way they handle having dual vocals, perfect Christmas gifts and touched a little on a member they’d recently lost. Randy of AOA was very honest and open, so that’s how I approached their new record Myths, Monsters & The Maker. It’s got a little hint of pop punk in there, but overall I’d deem this a pop rock record that stresses a youthful sense of rock.
Before we get to why I should’ve been Simon Cowell’s replacement on Idol, I’ll start with the parts of Myths, Monsters & The Maker that just didn’t stick. “Give Me Somewhere To Stand” felt like scattered pieces of a song put together in a hurry, while “Marathon; 490 BC (Times Have Changed)” just didn’t feel as strong as the rest of them. Placing it last made it easy to skip back to the start where you’d find the hardest track on the record, “Thirty Years’ Peace.”
This seems like a good time to talk about the primetime players of the record. Okay, why Simon Cowell? Well what I learned from him at an early age as I watched the first season of Idol at an educational summer program was that you have to have that moment. You know that moment that showcases the star has “it.” Well for Myths, Monsters & The Maker there were two moments, “Atlas” and “And I Will Move The Earth.” “Atlas” was the best representation of Arrows Over Athens as a whole. Everything from the vocals to the music came together effortlessly. As for the other, that’s Michelle’s. The part towards the end where she laments “Don’t visit me when I die you were never there when I was alive,” was a standing ovation kind of moment.
There were a couple defining moments and a pair I wasn’t too fond of on this record, but all in all I’d suggest Arrows Over Athens for those who like bands like Yellowcard and June Divided; pop rock that’s just enough rock to keep it from falling over the poppy edge. Myths, Monsters & The Maker is out July 17th so make sure to pre-order or make a mental note to get it when it is out for you to indulge in.
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