Album Reviews
Montreal’s Spite House waste no time on their sophomore album. Desertion clocks in under half an hour, but it packs a heavy punch both musically and emotionally. Drawing from the best parts of ‘90s emo and post-hardcore - think Dear You-era Jawbreaker, Knapsack, or Seaweed - the band deliver a record that is equal parts melody, muscle, and raw confession.
From the opening blast of “Ashen Grey” through the gut-wrenching title track, Desertion is driven by grief, anger, and reflection. Vocalist Max Lajoie doesn’t shy away from heavy subject matter such as parental loss, absence and guilt, and the intensity in his delivery makes sure you don’t either. Songs like “10 Days” and “Tied to the Flow” dial things back just enough to give the record some dynamic shifts, but even then the emotional weight never lets up.
If we’re completely honest, a couple of tracks blur somewhat together. But when Spite House hit their stride, the combination of crunching guitars, pounding drums, and Lajoie’s unflinching honesty hits like a motherfucker.
Desertion tracklist:
- Ashen Grey
- Deafening Calls
- Desert
- Tired To The Flow
- 10 Days
- Down The Drain
- Please Know
- Stale Change
- Midway
- Coma Dream
- Safe Haven
Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.
