Album Review: Touché Amoré – Spiral in A Straight Line (Rise Records)

Due out on the 11th of October, ‘Spiral in A Straight Line’ is the new album from post-hardcore icons, Touché Amoré’s, the band’s first for Rise Records.

Has is already been four years since Lament came out? Almost four years to the day, in fact. An album that was rightfully lauded and an album that, alongside Stage Four, encapsulates a specific period for Touché Amoré. So, four years later, where are they and what do they have to offer a post-hardcore world that continues to evolve day by day?

Where they are is where Touché Amoré has often been, in a confident and creative place and what they offer is an album of hits. Familiar Touché Amoré hits that draw on their impressive ability to unite touching melody with spirited hardcore energy, and all while the vocals deliver a rawness that saturates the soul. Touché Amoré fans already know this, but it bears repeating for everyone else, when vocalist Jeremy Bolm sings/speaks, we listen.

It is his voice, backed up by an exciting blast of vigorous rock-focused melody, that cuts right through with the excellent opener Nobody’s. Before things get nice and chaotic sounding with the hardcore-attuned Disasters. Then the sweetest and most addictive melodies of the entire album, alongside a powerful chorus, rise up to leave listeners mouth agape with Hal Ashby. With the first three tracks of this album, Touché Amoré show much of their hand and it’s a winner, but even then, they still have some exciting tricks up their sleeve too.

One of which is their divine ability to scale things back, turn the vocals near spoken-word, and deliver a more subtle instrumental performance, ala Force of Habit. The balance of having a track like this then be followed by one of Touché Amoré’s most intense efforts is near perfect, and as frenetic as Mezzanine is, it is cleverly layered with beguiling guitar tones. Leading to an ending that slows things right down, but provides plenty of persuasive power too. It’s another delightful example of Touché Amoré’s brilliance.

Speaking of brilliance though, how about Altitude’s varied and hazardous temperament, the old-school post-hardcore vein that throbs throughout This Routine, or the vibrant guitar melody and driving drumbeat of Finalist? To what should be the surprise of literally nobody, Touché Amoré continue to deliver unforgettable music as this album reaches its conclusion.

We’re not quite there yet though as it’s guest time and Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh), the first of two, makes their appearance on the heart-wrenching melodrama of Subversion (Brand New Love). A Touché Amoré special, and once again, they don’t disappoint.

Before Julien Baker (boygenius) joins Touché Amoré for a big finale called Goodbye for Now, it’s The Glue. This final portion of the album sending chills through the body as Touché Amoré find new melodic highs and lows to create deep levels of feeling. They are legends in the post-hardcore world for a reason, and once again, they prove emphatically that they are a band you can’t miss out on hearing. It might not be the best Touché Amoré album, but it sits comfortable alongside the back catalogue and proves that consistency is just as important.

Touché Amoré – Spiral in A Straight Line Track Listing:

1. Nobody’s
2. Disasters
3. Hal Ashby
4. Force Of Habit
5. Mezzanine
6. Altitude
7. This Routine
8. Finalist
9. Subversion (Brand New Love) (feat. Lou Barlow)
10. The Glue
11. Goodbye For Now (feat. Julien Baker)

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