Armed With Books is perfect for fans of Touché Amoré, Defeater, Fugazi, and William English. Grandad Records is happy to be reissuing their latest album, Honestly, Honesty on vinyl. The Norwich post-hardcore group seem to have much to say, with the focus largely on highly passionate and personal lyrics. And in just 17 minutes, they manage to speak volumes.
The album opens with "Charlaton," which continues to be my favorite track and the one that got me hooked to begin with. Somber, reverb-laden guitar and tempered drumming set the stage before the storm of catharsis. As the volume picks up, Olly shouts "I'm the biggest hypocrite I know!" and begins a mantra of "My mind is weak, my body is weaker. I'm seeking my forgiveness, while promising change." These confessions and proclamations continue throughout the duration, as if we are eavesdropping on some very private moments.
The minimalist, melancholy instrumentation furthers this aesthetic with a combination of depressive, punk rock riffs and wispy, picked melodies. In fact, forget eavesdropping, we are inside the mind of a very conflicted person. I am not privy to the band's personal demons, so my own interpretation is that this is a very accurate depiction of the warring self talk that rages within people suffering from anxiety. Seeing his glass as "half empty," self-deprecation, uncertainty, fear of what is going to happen...these are hallmarks of people with GAD. Wails Olly on "Fraying", "I'm not the man that I once was."
If you are a fan of the bands named above, or are just looking for a very straight-forward peice of passionate music from honest musicians, I recommend you listen to the words of Armed With Books. They are one of the better post-hardcore bands in this older style that I have heard in a while. I've been dying for another Is Survived By, and while this doesn't quite reach to that level of expertise, it is certainly getting there. Stream below and, speaking as a counselor, if you see yourself as just "watching others live their lives," seek help. It's out there.