The Seafloor Cinema were formed in Sacramento, California in 2016 and the quartet of guitarist Anthony OnFire, vocalist/bassist Justin Murry, guitarist Seth Lawrenson and drummer Timothy Aldama have shared a blend of Midwestern emo, pop-punk, and math rock. They have recently released a self-titled album which follows on from 2021`s `In Cinemascope With Stereophonic Sound`
The album opens with `Mercury In Gatorade` an upbeat fast paced emo anthem with a little bit of screamed vocals at times as it evolves. Onlyfriend adds some unclean or slightly distorted vocals to `If This Were A Film` which really explodes throughout and has some catchy hooks along with a flying pounding drumbeat.
The oddly named `Geese Attack!!!` is a mix of fairly fast paced emo with some intricate guitar chords and kind of stop / starts and becomes fairly singalong as it progresses. There`s a kind of gentleness to `Crop Top Sorority` which seems to awake and become a pretty complex composition.
The title of `Oaklands Finest Glass Beaches` really intrigued me and with a quick search I discovered that a Glass Beach is a visual spectacle, a sprawling canvas where nature highlights its artistry. Oakland is part of San Francisco`s bay area and enjoys a vibrant arts scene. But for me I think this number was more about a relationship that`s a little skewed. The magnificently titled `Dolly Parton Vs. The Government` is a red herring as the number is a fragile pop tinged musing again about romantic interests and the difficulties associated with enduring them.
`The Lesson (.44 Magnum)` features Aaron Pauley, who is best known as the lead vocalist and bassist for the rock band Of Mice & Men. This song, I read, is about facing your own mortality, feeling lost in it but finding comfort within it. The song had an enticing drum and bass synth laden vibe. The titles appear more bizarre as the album advances with `Take Drugs! Kill A Bear!` a much more reflective outing as opposed to what the title would suggest. It does have screamed vocals at times which does give it a more powerful texture.
`Jacob Cracks The Liberty Bell` is a more thumping, blistering rock out while `The Sun In Reverse` seems a lot more reflective while losing none of it`s bite.
`Deeth Star Valley` is a bit stop/start or stuttering at times, has a shimmer about it at other times then sprints along with vocals that sound a little exasperated and are interspersed with vocals that are distorted or unclean. An interesting mix that keeps you on your toes. The album closes out with `Paper Planes Burning In Paris` a pretty reflective submission that again tears off then slows down throughout its life cycle.
I thought this self-titled album was a fairly eclectic mix of styles and genres as it moves from reflection to a more speed metal vibe. I loved the various track titles which were kind of curve balls to what the numbers were about.
The Seafloor Cinema have produced an album that no doubt we all can find something we`ll like within its depths and layers.
Rating 8 / 10
