Nine Lashes – “World We View” Review

Tooth & Nail Records

Release Date: February 14, 2012

Reviewed by: Jared Conatser

When first hearing of Nine Lashes and mingling around on their Facebook, I was not sure what to think. They were a new band with a few thousand followers and they did not seem to have much exposure. However, as more information began to surface, I began to wait in dire anticipation to get my ears on this album. With the backing of an established label, I had faith World We View would be a solid album. Then seeing that Aaron Sprinkle was going to dust this band with his magic and that Trevor McNevan was their mentor, my heart exploded with musical tepidity. The apex of anticipation struck when it was announced that Ryan Clark would lend his vocal mastery to a song.

The album starts with their widely popular single ‘Anthem of the Lonely’. This is a song that will get in your head and stay for hours, and rightfully so. It was a wise decision to place this song at the beginning of the album. It forces fans to turn up the volume and listen. Another reason this placement was wise is it provides strength to get through the next two, normal songs. The fourth and fifth songs are, to me, the zenith of this album. ‘Afterglow’ is the only track to be resurrected form Nine Lashes’ indie release Escape. It has heart-wrenching lyrics and tells a story of separation. It is an emotional piece, which gives the answer to all hurt: God can heal. After ‘Afterglow’ arrives ‘Adrenaline’, alliteration applied. ‘Adrenaline’ is the party of the CD. T-Rawk’s presence is felt both literally and figuratively. This song shows TFK’s influence on this young band while McNevan lends his musical talent to make this song the best on the CD. Head bangers should undo their ponytails get ready when they get to track five.

After lingering through track 6, you come to ‘Our Darkest Day’. Demon Hunter fans can get their fix by listening through until the bridge where Ryan Clark delivers a classic, brutal blast. ODD is a truly enjoyable title. ‘Memo’ is a calm melody that doesn’t really draw much attention but then comes ‘Write It Down’ and ‘The Void’ that have the more Theo-philosophical lyrics of the album. ‘Write It Down’ brings serious thoughts about being a witness to a modern world so closed off to Christianity and ‘The Void’ stirs ideas about life after death. World We View ends in ordinary style with an acoustic melody entitled ‘My Friend’.

Overall, this album is a stepping-stone for a young hot band. There are enough songs on the CD that calls for the purchase of the whole thing. With such of a supported release, Nine Lashes is a band to watch out for in the future. World We View fits perfectly nestled in between Red’s Until We Have Faces and the TFK canon.

Score: 3.67/5

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