Once again I come into a new full-length from These Arms are Snakes filled with expectations. And while I am filled with hope for repeated greatness, I am also open-minded to any twists and turns that the band may throw at me over the course of these ten songs. Tail Swallower & Dove is only two years removed from Easter, so its naturally going to be cut from a similar sound. But within the sound These Arms are Snakes have continued to diversify their songwriting.
These Arms are Snakes start off with "Woolen Heirs," another fine opening track. Guitarist Ryan Frederiksen is at it again with his trademark guitars. Meanwhile bassist Brian Cook and drummer Chris Common provide a solid groove that throughout the song moves things along at a nice clip. A late-song segue provides a nice contrast to the more aggressive beginning, particularly the use of synths and vocalist Steve Snere's haunting harmonies before it all culminates in a furious ending.
"Prince Squid" follows and is an off-kilter number that allows the drumming of Common and Snere's dramatic vocal delivery to take the focus. Meanwhile meandering guitar melodies provide background noise to the story that is unfolded through the lyrics.
"Red Line Season" sees a re-occurrence of the song type that the band perfected on Easter. The angular riffs of Frederiksen are spot on, meanwhile Snere shifts back and forth between shouted yells and spoken lines. The accompaniment of snyths and keys add further ambiance to the song, as do the faint background vocals of Allejia Trout.
These Arms are Snakes continue to unleash track after track of dynamic post-hardcore as they make their way through the album. "Lucifer" is an upbeat and thrilling blast of dance-beat accented screamo in a sound reminiscent of The Blood Brothers. On the other end of the spectrum is the seven-and-a-half-minute epic "Ethric Double." This song is of a whole other beast. While the first third of the song is typical of the rest of their body of work, the remainder is comprised of a repetitious display of thundering riffs ala Isis.
"Long and Lonely Step" sees the band experimenting with sparse arrangements that demonstrate a deconstructing of their sound. The different elements are more exposed than ever, and yet the band still comes off as a cohesive unit. "Cavity Carousel" brings back the sound dabbled with earlier on "Lucifer." Snere showcases a swagger in his delivery akin to Mick Jagger while the song matches this intensity with its driving rhythms.
"Briggs" closes out the album in fitting fashion. Everything you've come to love about These Arms are Snakes is present: Frederiksen's gnarling guitars, driving rhythms from Common and Cook, and the vibrant and emotive vocals of Snere.
Tail Swallower & Dove ends up being everything I expected it to be, and a few things that I did not. That's what makes a band like These Arms are Snakes so intriguing. They continue to maintain a similar sound with each release, and yet find ways to distinguish their work from not only others, but also their own. Once again These Arms are Snakes have pieced together one of the year's finest albums.
