twenty | one | pilots – Vessel
Album Review by Ashley Osborn
If you haven’t heard of twenty | one | pilots let me give you the low-down. The band is from Columbus, OH and was signed to the incredible Fueled By Ramen about a year ago. The band consists of two brilliant members: Tyler Joseph (vocals, piano, keyboard, synth, etc) and Josh Dun (drums).
Since being signed, the band has shared the stage with household names and released an EP entitled Three Songs to prepare fans and strangers alike for what was to come. We now have the final result, VESSEL, which is complexly a flawless twelve-track anthem in which the band has been able to share every unknown aspect of their musical preference, personalities and TRULY give birth to a real breath of fresh air to an over-populated repetitive music industry. Honestly, words can’t really describe this album. You just have to listen but I’m giving this review my best shot.
The album opens with an eerie track entitled “Ode To Sleep” (also on the band’s three songs EP) and will most likely immediately make you think, “Who the hell is this band?” In my opinion it’s a perfect set up for what the rest of the album holds for listeners new and old. It’s certainly an attention grabber and the beats in this are sure to make you want to move.
‘House of Gold’ and ‘Screen’ are both incredibly notable tracks that in my opinion include the very best of twenty | one | pilots’ sound as well a ukulele. Two things that I would never have pictured would work together and two things in which I’m pretty sure nobody but twenty | one | pilots could ever actually make work.
The closing track, “Truce,” is a short two-minute track that actually feels very dark. It opens with a piano and Joseph’s trembling more than ever. “Now the night is coming to an end / The sun will rise and we will try again / Stay alive, stay alive for me / You will die but now your life is free / Take pride in what is sure to die / I will fear the night again / I hope I’m not my only friend.
Overall, after listening to the band’s previous full-lengths Regional At Best and twenty | one | pilots (which were both solid albums), it becomes clear that the band’s partnership with Fueled By Ramen has done them absolutely nothing but the very best. It’s clear that both parties certainly had a clear understanding going into this and if I may so so myself, I think this is not only twenty | one | pilots’ best release, but possibly one of the best Fueled By Ramen releases that we’ve seen in years. What a perfect way to start the New Year! I only see nothing but incredible things for this band. And, if you like this album… just wait until you see them live and have your mind blown.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Recommended Tracks: “The Run And Go” & “Semi Automatic”
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