Twin Atlantic: Vivarium
Released: September 15, 2009
Label: Red Bull Records
Band Website: twinatlantic.com

Review by Liz Tanguay

Sam McTrusty - Lead Vocals & Guitar
Ross McNae - Bass, Piano & Vocals
Barry McKenna - Guitar, Cello & Vocals
Craig Kneale - Drums & Vocals

So, this band was hand picked by the Smashing Pumpkins to support their U.K. tour. Is there anything else that really needs to be said?

Heres the basics....Vivarium is the debut mini-album (8 tracks) by Twin Atlantic, released by Red Bull Records on September 15th. It was produced by John Travis who has worked with Social Distortion, Static X, The Answers, Kid Rock, etc. This album demonstrates the various backgrounds these boys come from. Its difficult to pin them down to any one sub-genre. In one song you could swear you are listening to Rise Against with a Scottish brogue. In the next you may pick up some Dashboard Confessional emo. But pretty much throughout the album Twin Atlantic brings the rock.

Twin Atlantic has had quite a bit of U.K. success, touring with bands like the afore mentioned Pumpkins, Taking Back Sunday, Funeral For A Friend, mewithoutyou, and others. They hope to bring that success to the States by releasing the California recorded album. Their first single, "Turning into John Wayne", may be misconstrued as anti-American, but it simply delves into the Americanization of the rest of the world and the love/hate relationship we share. McTrusty asks "So if there is one thing I want to know/How you feel about being American, American?" How do you feel about it? This song is included in the thumbs up category along with almost the whole album. The slower songs seem to be better written and performed. "Caribbean War Syndrome" is exceptional in the way it builds, surrounding you like a cozy blanket, then breaks down to shred that warm fuzzy place with huge, distorted guitars and a rabid drum pace. McTrusty's vocals are haunting and beautiful, as is the piano breakdown half way through. There are so many excellent songs on Vivarium, it could almost be add to the "listen to the whole thing" category.

Of course there are a few exceptions. Lightspeed, which was released as a free download in June 2009, starts off with "summer anthem" potential, but leaves you wanting a bit more. More comprehensible lyrics maybe...more "rock" in the anthem. "Old Gray Face" just doesn't belong here at all. It feels like filler in an already "mini" album and "Audience and Audio" was previously released on the EP A Guidance from Colour. "Audience and Audio" was remixed for this new album but that didn't seem to help its quality.

Twin Atlantic has released a remarkable album with a lot of potential. Hopefully you can get through the Scottish accents (without giggling too much) to understand the fantastic lyrics. These adorable (yes, they are heartthrob, screaming fan girls material), talented boys are a band to watch in the coming year. With their pop punk sound you are almost certain to hear Twin Atlantic on your local radio station soon. Good luck boys. Looking forward to the next album.

Visit Twin Atlantic's official website: twinatlantic.com