Poison the Well. The Tropic Rot.

Admittedly, I am not a big fan of hardcore. But, whether or not you are, I'd get into this band immediately. They are easily, and officially, one of the most innovative bands in music. If you checked them out more than five years ago and weren't sure about them, you need to check 'em out again. There are very few groups out there that can manage this much growth in such a short time span, but ever since You Come Before You and Versions, Poison the Well have mastered the craft of their originality with The Tropic Rot.

There's something about that very title that ties well with what the album offers: surfer rock riffs and jazz chords mixed with doom metal grooves and country/blues licks, and genres much more, all mashed up into a sharp "post" hardcore package (and I mean "post" only in the post modern sense). It's the beauty in decay that these fellows thrive on - what's been festering in them has fermented into a strong liquor for our ears. Guitarist Ryan Primack is relentless and slick, transitioning even the acoustic When You Lose I Lose As Well into a frenzy of discord, with the phenomenal Chris Hornbrook driving the pace. And vocalist Jeffrey Moreira probably does more singing than ever, his lush choir boy vocals and simple yet vivid lyrics fully matured while maintaining a punk edge.

If you got sick of hardcore because it seemed like it just didn't have any more to offer than the standard power chords and aggression, pick up this record and see how Poison the Well challenges you. These guys were done toying around back in '03. It's clear that diversity and dynamics are now their imprint.