Attraction To Tragedy
Passion Over Fashion
(Self-Release)
Attraction To Tragedy is quite the curious creation. The group wants to pair Hot Topic-style fashion with an odd mixture of 00s goth-y metalcore with radio pop so heavy-handed, it almost goes into a boy band feel at times. The band reference O-Town and Within The Ruins, and while they never reach the latter’s sense of bounce or aggression, the album is very fast-paced and has a sticky sweet level of melody. It honestly feels like a Hot Topic creation of “Pop Goes Scenecore” circa 2006. Do with that what you will.
The first half of the album skirts along with leftover 98 Degrees hooks and speedy melodic metal. It doesn’t quite work; it’s hummable but not exactly hooky. The second half leans into some heavier moments (screaming and light breakdowns), though that isn’t any better. For an album titled Passion Over Fashion, this feels like a misplaced trick to be fashionable, even if there may not be much of a market for this. The band are definitely talented, as everything is done competently; however, the band’s components are all out of whack. Dipping your toes in the waters of radio pop and metal might work in theory, but it doesn’t work in practice for Attraction To Tragedy.
Purchase Passion Over Fashion on iTunes.
