We begin with "The Beginning" oddly enough and it's a simple, piano led minute long intro-track...the subtle addition of synths layered within gradually builds up a feeling of expectation and you feel as though CBJS are going to let rip any moment now...and they do via "Dead Ends". Straight away we feel the riff-heavy approach to their metalcore offerings and duel approach vocals...there's nothing particularly different about this, it's pretty straightforward stuff, swaying back and forth between clean, gang and aggressive vocals, it's got breakdowns...it's OK.
"The New World Order" is up next and it's a hard one to pin down quite frankly...the vocals are a bit mish-mash, even going as far as death metal growls in parts, the chorus sounds disjointed and the brief electronic / techno aspects just add even more confusion...like, did you ever watch WCW? Where at the end of every Nitro, the NWO would run down and cost a match and it would be one big clusterfuck? This is the soundtrack to that...followed directly by the first of two pointless interludes. This is an EP...you don't need interludes. Stop.
"Pathways And Promises", the shortest track proper is a straight up brutal metalcore affair and stands out as an EP highlight here simply because of that reason alone, it's to the point and doesn't over complicate itself, while "Waste Away" and finally then "Replace The Hate" finish the EP, the latter probably utilising the electronica to its best potential in what is undeniably, at least a catchy chorus.
When you look at CBJS you cant help but think they really want to be MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, and their sound hints at that...but their sound also incorporates elements of artists like ENTER SHIKARI and, really, I believe it's fair to say you can applaud them for throwing everything at this, experimenting is fine, dabbling is fine...but it needs structure. This sounds like they can't yet decide what suits them best...and when they do, they have potential. Until then...the cabin boy, with his new found, buggery-free life of freedom, is enjoying as much as he can with a sense of excitement. [4]