Survival Is For Cowards

THE CASKET LOTTERY's third full-length release for Second Nature Recordings, Survival Is For Cowards, takes the lessons learned and the paths defined on the intricately complex Choose Bronze and their densely layered Moving Mountains to new heights of creative fervour and emotional impact. One of THE CASKET LOTTERY's greatest attributes is their incorporation of flailing dynamics and serene passages, which constantly contrasts between sonorous moments of contemplation and aggressive eruptions. Tracks like the opening "Code Red," "What I Built Last Night" and "Getting By" explore a main groove, beholden to a central musical thread, yet are laden with wavering guitar leads that flutter in the ether of each song and exquisite arrangements that crash against the rock's discourse. All the while the dual vocals of Nathan Ellis and Stacy Hilt are equally more developed and confident in their range and more abrasive and striking in their rage. Emo, indie, math, rock? THE CASKET LOTTERY eschews defined categories, incorporating touchstones yet exceeding their limitations. "Searchlights," for example, is a plaintive, rolling, endeavour, moody yet always stirring while songs like "The Bridge," "Since You" and "Leaving Town" utilise keyboards in a spacious, atmospheric style not previously attempted. Survival Is For Cowards is a masterful album that is at times as complex and interlocking yet as lush and enveloping as any CASKET LOTTERY release, reaching new levels of melody, aggression and songwriting in the process.