Dual Theory – Prologue December 4, 2008

Track Listing

1. In the Dust
2. This Recurring Wound
3. Beyond Euphoria
4. Façade
5. Pathway to Solitude
6. Lost in the Game
7. Desperate Measures
8. Leave Me Be
9. Best Days of Our Lives
10. Emotion
11. Epilogue

1. In the Dust

We begin the album with a pretty depressing song.  It’s definitly a song about rejection by the other person and hearing ~I’d expected you to be there~ really does send chills down spines.  I was definitly surprised that it was only acoustic, but it didn’t hamper the experience at all and I quite enjoyed the final minute of the song where Youko and Hunter quietly sang the lyrics and gradually got louder.  Great first track.

2. This Recurring Wound

Wow, this song is definitly emo-ish especially the first verses.  Though, I was a little confused about what the song was really about and all the cutting, bleeding, and such.  The song pretty much flies by me, but once again the ending are where Youko repeats ~Your words are like poison~.  Definitly something surprising if you ask me XD

3. Beyond Euphoria

After two dark tunes we get a pretty interesting tune.  I’m pretty sure it’s a happy tune, but it’s like there’s some hidden meaning to it.  Granted, the song’s verses switch to a girl and boy and all the tribulations of love.  Though I was shocked that the song ended sudden almost.  I did like the song though, even though it’s pretty short ^_^

4. Façade

Interestingly, Façade has a pretty melody to it and Youko’s vocals fit so well on the verses.  Hunter does back him up every finishing line and they sound good combining each other’s vocals.  It’s basically about wanting someone to show their real side, but in the end it’s like they can’t do/won’t do, and lies some disappointment.  It’s one of the favorites from me.

5. Pathway to Solitude

Something sweet occurs here as it is the first acoustic ballad of the album, I actually had a little trouble listening to this.  Youko’s more emotional voice kind of goes a little flat and makes it seem pretty awkward.  The chorus sounds better and he’s more confident.  Actually the longer the song goes by the better it gets.  Hence after the solos when Youko and Hunter play off of each others lyrics, that was impressive.

6. Lost in the Game

I thought the notes at the beginning sounded like it was latin-influenced, but alright maybe the song sounds a little latin-influenced.  By the title, the song is about being so much of yourself, that something will destroy you eventually.  It’s quite a high school topic and it’s true.  I really didn’t know what to think when the verses came out since they sounded lifeless almost.  It’s alright, but not one of my favs.

7. Desperate Measures

Yup, as the song implies ~Desperate time calls for desperate measures~.  I kind of also got a little bored, it could possibly the speed of the song and how long and connected most of the song was.  It just seemed to drag most of the time, luckily it wasn’t to the point that I wanted to press next, was it a filler track perhaps?

8. Leave Me Be

I heard immediatly the raw emotion through this track and it was so surprising to hear that.  I mean yes, it’s a little emo, but it was a good kind of emo.  Like something teenagers can actually feel for.  I mean it’s pretty much simple in lyrics leave him alone damnit!  It’s one of the darkest songs on the album albeit put into an upbeat kind of sound. 

9. Best Days of Our Lives

We definitly get a lively and happy track and OMG Hunter is actually leading the track practically and it comes as a definite shock and he sounds good as well.  Then I find myself wondering why does the song sound pretty repetitive.  I do like the whole cherish the moments you have, quite nice and I guess in the end, the song seems depressing cause it sound like a breakup happened or something.  Please elaborate hahaha.

10. Emotion

Entering the shortest song off the album, it’s practically an interlude.  Are they pulling a Hikki? (Youko, you can ask me bout that one).  Anyway, it’s like Youko’s guitar playing is singing the song rather and even though there is some off notes, it’s definitly a nice listen.  Hunter’s beat is quite cool keeping it together and such.  Then we are led into.

11. Epilogue

Haha, I love how the album is called “Prologue” and the last song off the album is the Epilogue.  As well it should they convey feelings through a story and that’s where the terms come from.  Being the longest song as well, this ballad was more better than the first one for sure.  I hear some minor tapping sounds as well, I wonder if it was intentional and some both guys are singing it’s tough to differentiate the two unless they are singing simultaneously.  Still what a nice way to finish this album.

Tracks Recommended

•  Façade
• Epilogue
• Leave Me Be
• Beyond Euphoria
• Pathway to Solitude

So their debut album is for sure different to their later albums because well, it’s all acoustic music.  What I liked about the song is definitly the lyrics as they are honest lyrics and even though some of them are a little surprising like This Recurring Wound most of them are something teens can relate to one way another.  Both Youko and Hunter have nice voices and even though it isn’t at full force (they explained it) I’m actually wanting to hear them belt it out.  Nice album guys!