Don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard about this week’s In Case You Missed It, I actually missed it myself, I hate to say, and either way, that’s why this piece exists in the first place. And fret not, you haven’t missed the boat by long, this album was released only last month, on March 10th. The album in question is The Longer Now, the debut full length from Boston’s Actor|Observer, and to get straight to the point, it is nothing short of spectacular. So spectacular I’m actually a little upset with myself for missing a month and a half of listening time I could have otherwise had with the album had I been paying attention. Now, some of you may be asking from the other side of your computer, “Who is Actor|Observer?” and you could certainly be forgiven for asking such a question. They are one of the best kept secrets in the Boston post-hardcore music scene; arguably one of the best bands of the genre to ever grace Boston, period.
Now, I have a bit of a personal connection with this one, being formerly of said Boston post-hardcore music scene, and sharing the stage with these guys on several occasions with my old band, Like Waves, I had grown quite fond of their music since the beginning. And from their earliest days as a band, it was clear that they were something special, they had something that most bands lacked, it was this intangible aura of skill, honesty in their music, and mastery of a sound that they had really only begun to tackle as a group. Few bands can come fresh out of the gate sounding as good as they did back in 2009, and I think that has a lot to do with how genuine they were in their writing. And people took notice, those in the know kept a close eye on these guys as they continued to grow, and continued to make some really remarkable music together. However, they always sort of remained in the Boston underground, still pressing on but remaining woefully underrated, easily adopting the Boston ethos of determination and perseverance. Which brings us to where we are today, six years later, with their first full length album; an album which deserves to be heard by anyone that can get their hands on a copy.
You may have read our article on the new music video from Que Sera where I waxed poetic about the fabled New England post-hardcore sound. I referenced the cleaner sound employed by bands like Que Sera and The Receiving End of Sirens, and that gritty sound, usually coming out of Boston proper, the sound that was developed and perfected by bands like Therefore I Am, and Actor|Observer fall firmly into the latter category. They embody the tough, strong nature of the city Boston, while still coming off as approachable and earnest, it’s a rare sound, and one that’s hard to pull off with the proper flare, but The Longer Now may actually be the new epitome of that sound that many were starting to believe was fading away.
This album may not be popping up on the Heatseeker charts anytime soon, but that does not mean that isn’t something they deserve. This is a band that has worked very hard over the years, and make music because it’s what they love to do. And as so often happens in situations like that, you get this wonderful band, this band that continues to make truly remarkable music regardless of the trends around them, or what might make them money, or gain them some fame. They make music that is true to themselves, and that sort of passion breeds some fantastic music, that hits way above its pay grade. Actor|Observer really are a tragically underrated and underappreciated band when you consider sheer numbers, but those that are in the know will continue to heap praise on these guys, much as I am right here, because it really is what they deserve. And if you give The Longer Now a listen, as you most certainly should, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.
