The Almost

Aaron Gillespie apparently wasn't satisfied with simply drumming and singing for popular post-hardcore group Underoath. He wrote every song and plays every instrument on his new band's debut, which makes calling it a side-project seem a little off. Not unlike Underoath, the Almost traffics in speedy, distorted jammers that wriggle and burst as Gillespie belts out urgent laments. Curveballs include the plaintive ballad "Dirty and Left Out" and the weepy "Amazing, Because It Is," which features ... is that a French horn and a choir? Cool.