Decoder's self-titled release sets them apart

There are a lot of things people look forward to when it comes to the New Year. I always look for the next album or the next band to come along and compel me to spend every waking moment obsessing over them while I listen to said album over and over and over and…you get the point. So when I came across the debut self-titled album of post-hardcore band Decoder, I knew it was love at first listen.

What caught my attention about Decoder is that, while within the realm of post-hardcore music and riding on the support of Rise Records, the band brings a very unique sound that has the ability to provide a wide range of varying intensities and tempos. Comprised of ex-members from other bands like Oceana, VersaEmerge and Of Machines, each artist provides their musical talent to "Decoder," which produces a surprisingly well-balanced album.

Atmospherically, the clean vocals of Spencer Pearson (VersaEmerge) provide the calm, while Keith Jones' (Oceana) screaming brings the storm. As we all should know, however, no matter how good vocals are, they are nothing without irresistible music behind them. Decoder maintains the balance of heavy and light with guitarists Jack Burns (Oceana) and Anthony Sepe, bassist Bryce Sipes and drummer Brent Guistwite (Of Machines).

What I love the most about the album, aside from the overall tone, is the fact that every musical aspect of the band is expressed in every song. I give a special tip of my hat to the surprisingly ever-present bassist who is never overshadowed by the rest of the band, and the powerful vocals of Jones, which I haven't heard since Oceana's "The Tide" (2008).

While I'm sure that most people can't seem to step away from Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Fantasy" or Jason Aldean's "My Kind of Party," those who want to break away from the mainstream and see what else is out there should consider giving Decoder a chance. The album's single "Conflicts" is more than capable of providing you with a decision, exercising the mix of heavy and light that makes this album worth obtaining from iTunes or your local retailer.