Albums•November 29, 2011•9,171 views

Time In Malta Alone With The Alone

Alone With The Alone
01. Forty Seven 02. Bare Witness 03. Tightrope 04. Louder Than Bombs 05. Ghosts 06. What Are We Afraid Of? 07. Fused As One 08. Perform The Surgery 09. Catalyst 10. Event Horizon 11. Start With Me 12. The Wayfarer
2004 Equal Vision Records
Our score 6
9/14/2004
Time In Malta are one of those bands that I've never had much (if any) exposure to, but have always wanted to hear something from. Now that I've had my chance, I can't exactly say I'm ready to go out and buy some of their past releases, but I won't pass up hearing something else from them either. I expect to receive some flack for this review, since I've heard a number of people comment that this is one of Time In Malta's best releases if not they're best, but I can't hand out a good review based on what others say. Time In Malta play a listenable brand of hardcore infused with rock elements, yet nothing really stood out for me with this release. It was driving, but not enough to get me excited, and it was heavy, but not enough for me to want to turn the volume up whenever it was playing. I also have a difficult time taking in vocalist Todd Gullion's particular brand of screaming and singing. Normally a deep voice isn't a problem, but Gullion's seems removed from the music and tends to resonate with me in a detached way. Since the band has recently parted ways with Todd, maybe someone else with a more sustained voice will step in, though I'm sure many who enjoy Time In Malta as they were would disagree with me on such a change. In terms of recording and production, "Alone With The Alone" doesn't raise any eyebrows with me. It's a little fuzzy and muted at times, but this is probably due more to the style of music itself rather than the recording. On the note of style, I have to mention that was let down by the mediocrity of some of the riffs and the overall similitude of every track. I had no problem distinguishing one song from the next usually, but at the same time every one aroused the same feeling of ambivalence towards the music. Bottom Line: While Time In Malta seems to be, at worst, a well-liked band by many, I had a hard time getting into this band's form of dark hardcore/rock. They mostly manage to evade falling into any single musical genre, but I was fairly bored by the entirety of this disc. I can't say anything about their past releases and how they compare to Alone With The Alone, and honestly, it seems pointless to compare how bad or good they might have been in the past, but as for this release, it was just above par in terms of satisfaction.

18 comments

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Hawkin(s)_ 9/14/2004 8:03:21 PM

FIRST POST BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111

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xemoryhardcorex_ 9/14/2004 9:14:22 PM

fair review. I approve. it is definitely not as good as A Second Engine. too much chug, not enough of Todd's voice.

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xDoogiex_ 9/14/2004 9:14:44 PM

i enjoy this band

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Cory_ 9/14/2004 9:19:35 PM

I agree. Going into this record as a big Time in Malta fan based on their last release, this was a bit f a letdown. Thumbs up.

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incircles_ 9/15/2004 12:34:14 AM

this cd deserves at least an 8 in my opinion...it sounds like this guy just needed to rock this album a couple more times to get in to it.

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buckwheat_ 9/15/2004 2:28:29 AM

"they're best" This band is annoying

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xero_ 9/15/2004 4:45:48 AM

I have been a big fan since Construct and Demolish. I think that may be their strongest release, but Alone with the Alone and A Second Engine are both excellent. I like that TIM are not afraid to get politically pissed off in their lyrics, but while also staying hopeful. I get tired of the "here's my diary" school of lyric writing that most metalcore bands subscribe to. Contrary to the reviewer, I think Todd's voice is a big plus. Most metalcore vocalists have scream mode, and emo mode, and

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ghetto_paul_ 9/15/2004 9:07:41 AM

great album, great band. I got no problem with the review though, Time in Malta is an acquired taste. To each his own.

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Ducky_ 9/15/2004 1:08:53 PM

I love this CD, but I'm a huge TIM fan. I'm not sure how this cd gets a 6/10 but...that's just one man's view.

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Jhonn_ 9/15/2004 1:13:22 PM

"this is one of Time In Malta's best releases if not they're best" Sorry, that should be "their best." I hate finding errors after anything's been posted...

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zachycarl_ 9/15/2004 3:07:01 PM

after listening to this album several times, i think that the heavier songs aren't quite heavy or fast enough to keep my attention for too long. however, i think the more rocking songs are great, and wish they would play more of those live.

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john_doe_ 9/15/2004 4:21:14 PM

despite the 'flaws' you point out, this record is deserving of at least a 7/10. you fail.

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matt_ 9/16/2004 2:36:07 PM

yeah, its pretty good. not super, but i do certainly like it more than 6/10

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alex_ 9/16/2004 4:22:20 PM

i love A Second Engine, but this one wasn't nearly as good. I think 6/10 is right on, and my opinion is the only one that matters.

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Cory_ 9/16/2004 6:50:44 PM

the webmaster has spoken! a second engine = 8 or 9 of 10. alone with the alone = 6 out of 10. it's just not as good.

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Food_Is_Good_ 9/16/2004 11:51:24 PM

Time In Malta's split with Breathe In is their best release.

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clevelandhardcore_ 9/18/2004 5:38:03 PM

This guy is crazy. He is the best singer! Better than Morrissey or even Angus Young. Just kidding have no idea who this band is. They broke up before playing Cleveland with SICK OF IT ALL

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dark days_ 9/19/2004 5:57:03 PM

they haven't broken up. the singer quit and they are looking for another.

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