A Late Review of PVRIS' 'All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

A Late Review of PVRIS' 'All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell'

It's still a good album months later.

46
A Late Review of PVRIS' 'All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell'
Laura Guerriero

Alternative rock is dying, or at least the old definition of it is. The glory days for alt-rock staples such as Fall Out Boy and Linkin Park have passed, and they are now part of the never-ending pool of forgettable “alt-rock” driven by an electronic beat that sound more like a bad attempt at a pop electronic dance song. This is a result of the bands falling victim to a change in trends, frantically trying to force electronic music into their songs to stay relevant as attention toward their heavy guitar-and-vocals sound began to wane, but what happens when an alt-rock band forms in a predominantly pop/EDM climate? In PVRIS’ “All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need of Hell,” they prove it is possible to mature and release a successful sophomore album with their own electronic sound.

The female-fronted band hailing from Massachusetts has released the airy, yet just as angsty, little brother of their first album, “White Noise.” “White Noise,” known for its synthesizer-heavy sound and lead singer Lynn Gunn’s punchy vocals, provides the framework for AWKOHAWNOH. Most of the assertive drums that dominated “White Noise” have been swapped out for groovier, laid-back beats that make the songs easy to listen to. That doesn’t necessarily mean the songs are better. While both “Heaven” and “Same Soul” benefit from frequent transitions and head-bobbing beats, “Separate,” the band’s attempt at the token slow song on the album, was instead ineffective because it was mundane.

On AWKOHAWKOH, the band’s maturity is proved by the development of the softer side of Gunn’s vocals on tracks such as “Heaven,” “Nola 1,” and “Anyone Else.” Gunn adds higher octave singing to some of the talky, assertive singing she gravitated toward on “White Noise.” She contrasted bursts of her staple in-your-face, angry growl with periods of softer vocals to grab you and drags you into the depths of her angst, daring you to “Show me no mercy,” on “No Mercy.” This song acts as the mirror image of “Fire” from “White Noise.” It was smart for the band to include this song in the album because it shows that, although they’ve branched out, they still have the same PVRIS in them from three years ago.

A major weaknesses of the album was the sound production of the vocals. On “Walk Alone,” “Separate,” and “Nola 1,” the muffled effect on the vocals was unnecessary because it feels detached and just makes the lyrics difficult to understand. These vocals are also buried so far under a synth-happy blanket of effects that the instrumentals on the track overpower the lyrics. The most effective parts of these songs are when Gunn’s voice is not affected because they emerge from the track and actually stand out.

What used to be defined as alternative rock may be dying, but PVRIS’ redefinition of the genre will continue to produce successful albums, as long as they don’t allow their synthesizer to run them over.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

653
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

416
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199413
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20397
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments