Underoath – Lost in the Sound of Separation

Although it may pain long standing Underoath fans, I almost like to ignore the fact that the band even released music before their break though album They're Only Chasing Safety, with this album and everything since being musically far more accomplished. That said, at least Underoath have been given time to grow, with Lost in the Sound of Separation another example of just how consistent the band are. The opening track Breathing in a New Mentality sounds like a toned and sculpted Chariot track and sets a high president. But where Define the Great Line spat out guitar lines for two a penny, Lost... lacks the key ingredient which allows the album really take off. Emergency Broadcast has the space and epic nature of a traditional middle album track but where on Define... deep breaths were often needed between tracks in order to keep up, Lost doesn't seem to demand this same reaction. That said, space is something it does have on its side with many of the bludgeoning riffs given more room to fully impact. Even so it's often over done with tracks Created Void and Coming is Calming Down feeling remarkably similar. It is perhaps too easy to critisise this album given the ability of their last effort to gain both commercial success and set a credible new standard in the genre, and Lost… is very listenable, but there is something lacking. A consistent effort that confirms Underoath’s importance and stature but one which fails to pin back your ears and demand attention.