Pan.a.ce.a. We the Broken
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Pennsylvania-based rockers Pan.a.ce.a first came to our attention with last year’s reissue of their 2006 debut All or Nothing. The band’s melodic, yet thoroughly modern rock sound was a welcome change of pace from most of what’s played on mainstream rock radio. Now the band is back with a new studio offering – 2009’s We the Broken.
We the Broken picks up right where All or Nothing left off. The band has gained a bass player (Matt Jaffin) and their songwriting skills have matured, but this is essentially the same kind of album as its predecessor – and that’s absolutely a good thing. It’s like this: take your average popular rock band that gets radio airplay – Nickelback, Hoobastank, Pop Evil…you know the type – and remove the obnoxious lyrics and Mountain Dew commercial attitude, and you’ll come close to Pan.a.ce.a’s sound. Obviously the Nickelback brand of modern rock is popular, but it’s so goddamned stupid you know it’s destined to crash and burn. Pan.a.ce.a takes the good things from that sound – the guitar hooks, the drive, and some of the swagger – and tempers it with a real appreciation for melody, song structures that don’t come from a how-to manual and lyrics that are actually worth listening to. Not to mention Tim Farley’s emotional and often moving vocals.
There aren’t a lot of bands that can do what Pan.a.ce.a does. Alter Bridge immediately comes to mind though, in terms of style, substance and heart. And lest you think this is some wimpy alternative album, rest assured that even with a more mature attitude and the occasional love song, “We the Broken” flat out rocks. It plays to your heart, your head, and that part of you that just wants to raise your fist and rock.
We the Broken is the perfect album for those who find the modern rock scene just a bit too obnoxious. Now if only mainstream rock radio would discover what they’re missing…
Label: Susquehanna Entertainment
Lineup:
Tim Farley: Vocals
Paul Young: Guitar
Matt Jaffin – Bass
Kevin Harry: Drums/Percussion/Samples
Track Listing:
1. Too Little Too Late
2. Someday
3. We the Broken
4. Stay
5. Hold On
6. Dreaming In the Real
7. Children of Tomorrow
8. No More Secrets
9. Now or Never
10. The Yesterdays
11. The Fix
12. Everything Is Different (When I’m With Her)
13. This Life
Online: www.panacearock.com
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7/10
This is a great Album!! It goes hand in hand with their previous recording. Definitely check this band out and get some new music into your collection.