Album Reviews

Despite forming just three years ago, Jacksonville, Florida’s Tides have already shared the stage with scene heavyweights like Alkaline Trio, Hot Water Music, New Junk City, The Raging Nathans, and Tiltwheel. How did they pull that off? One listen to their debut full-length, How To Survive A Fall, makes it crystal clear.

Out September 15 via ADD Records and Little Rocket Records, How To Survive A Fall delivers 11 tracks brimming with energy, rich texture, brooding atmosphere, and hooks galore, all anchored by the kind of gravelly vocals you could pave your driveway with.

Opening with the bruising title track, Tides immediately tap into the same melodic vein as Ways Away. But as "Collapse" and lead single "Undertow" take over, it becomes obvious that Touché Amoré could very well be their spirit animal as well. Elsewhere, warm guitar tones echo Samiam’s Sergie Loobkoff, while fellow Floridians Hot Water Music are never all that far away either. Tides don't just boast impeccable taste in influences, they possess the songwriting chops to match, crafting tracks that punch hard immediately without ever losing steam.

For a band who previously only released a split (with Golf War... well worth a listen), Tides have locked in a remarkably refined signature sound. They run with it confidently, tossing in just enough dynamic variation to keep you glued to the speakers until the final notes of the aptly named closer, "It Stops Here," ring out.

How To Survive A Fall track listing:

1. How To Survive A Fall
2. Collapse
3. My Own
4. Undertow
5. Dave
6. Seconds To Last
7. All This Time
8. Calculated Loss
9. Dead Leaves On Main Street
10. Maybe
11. It Stops Here