I imagine that spending a July in Texas would require a lot of sunscreen and bi-hourly deodorant reapplication. Being from the south, you’d think I’d be used to such weather, I’ve had to deal with it so much. Still, that mid-south weather is likely too much for me. And therein lies the problem with Texas in July’s recent release I Am. It’s just too much in way too many ways.

It’s too stale. It honestly sounds like something released in the early years of metalcore, back in the MP3.com days (before it went corporate). Is a decade reaching too far back? In the fast-changing world of “core” type metal style; yes. The production is too muddy and amateurish, the gang-vocals overused, and the riffs too derivative. The only saving grace of this album is the excellent solo work, which shines far and above the rest of the music despite the fact that the guitar’s tone sounds as if it has been recorded with a webcam’s built in mic.

It’s too boring. Intro, verse, bridge, chorus, breakdown, SOLO, rinse and repeat. The entire album feels as if it’s one long jam session drawn out. There’s no real intra-album evolution or movement. This riff sounds like that one, this gang-vocal sounds like that gang-vocal. Oh, more widdly-wooing sweeping solos! Great. I got bored very quickly. Most of it fades to the background as I find other things to do. It doesn’t capture, it simply occupies aural space.

It’s too derivative. You’ve heard this brand of music before, done much better. Underoath, All That Remains, As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada, et al, come to mind. Your time and effort would be greater rewarded with albums from those bands rather than this one.

Is this to say that Texas in July does not have potential? Yes, it is. Unless they retool their sound to separate themselves from the pack, I don’t see a bright future for them.

2.0/5