VANNA- CURSES

When I first heard Vanna, I thought they were joke. Just Epitaph's version of jumping on the metalcore band wagon, as their AP ad read: "For Fans of Underoath, Every Time I Die, The Chariot, and Norma Jean." When I checked their debut E.P. out, The Search Party Never Came, it was not impressive at all. A few decent catchy singing parts, sub par breakdowns, and you would have just what i expected, just another part of the trend.
However, with Vanna's new CD Curses, the band has done more than grown. The writing on this record is superb, bringing to mind old Fear Before the March of Flames, the good days of Norma Jean, and even Coalesce. Curses reminds you, that while the progression of the said bands was a good thing, one just misses the sounds of their youth. Think if Metallica never grew out of Master of Puppets, or Norma Jean out of Bless the Martyr.
Curses is just a reminder of what it was like the hear those bands for the first time. The album is also a breathe of fresh air, as produces, and legend Matt Bayles brings home a great recording. I think my ears were so used to hearing digital fakeness, that hearing this was like drinking my first glass of chocolate milk.
This record is simply put, great. From start to finish, i've never heard a band as young as this put so much taste into a sound that is becoming as repetitive as Sportscenter on a day home from school.

FINAL GRADE: A