It's no secret that I like sappy emo records. 764-HERO makes such records and has the honor of one of my favorite local band names. If you're not from around here, you may not appreciate it as much, but that's fine by me.

764-HERO has mastered the art of dynamic changes. From yelling to whispers, they cruise the range of musical melodrama. The songs play a line between jangly Built To Spill indie and heartfelt emo Sunny Day Real Estate, creating a foundation for future indie releases by a multitude of bands from the Northwest. Death Cab For Cutie can probably thank them the hardest for paving the way.

The first song, High School Poetry, is excellent. It's a great example of slightly inaccurate but fully honest vocals. John Atkins is maybe not the best singer, but he clearly has something to say. And with lines like "Its like bad poetry. Its fucking high school poetry." he definitely tugs at the heart strings of this high school poet.

The B-side is the perfect accompaniment to a deep Northwest winter gloom. The subtle undertone of organ notes power a slow dirge that alternates between I-just-want-to-go-outside frustration and is-it-dark-already-I guess-I'll-take-a-nap submission.

It's a shame I didn't pick this up until relatively recently. I really would have loved this in the late-90's.

If you like this review, you can buy me a coffee.