Appears at http://www.nationalunderground.org/news/must-have-albums/288-touche-amore-la-dispute-split-review
Touché Amoré and La Dispute, both extremely relevant and acclaimed within their respective scenes, have united to produce a unique take on the split seven-inch format. Though each band carries a distinct, trademark sound based in post-hardcore, there are notable, overlapping similarities, and these are displayed in full effect on Searching for a Pulse/The Worth of the World. While the two titles might indicate separation, this EP is best considered a singular body of work.
La Dispute made a name for themselves with Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair, a sprawling, complex full-length. Packed to the brim with a 4,700-word narrative, it probably would have exemplified the term “magnum opus” had it not been, impressively, their debut LP. The Worth of the World immediately brings to mind the angry, heavy side of Somewhere, while offering a glimpse at the band’s unmistakable ability to convey overwhelming desperation.
Touché Amoré, whose full-length ...To the Beat of a Dead Horse can be listened to almost three times over in the time that it takes to listen to Somewhere once, contributes two characteristically short songs. This brevity, rather than being detrimental, only enhances the intensity, propelling the first half with a consistent momentum.
Searching for a Pulse/The Worth of the World is not simply four unrelated, random songs. Besides the language from which they named their bands (although I may be wrong about that), the A and B sides share thematic and conceptual commonalities. More concretely, La Dispute’s lead singer contributes guest vocals to Touché Amoré’s songs and vice versa. These contributions extend beyond mere backing vocals. Each singer donates an additional verse or two to the other band’s songs, creating an interesting dynamic. The song titles, as well, creatively piece together complete ideas. “I’ll Get My Just Deserve” connects to “I’ll Deserve Just That” (a song strikingly reminiscent of Dead Reckoning-era Small Brown Bike) while “How I Feel” connects to “Why it Scares Me.” Both bands successfully communicate feelings of anxiety and trepidation through gut-wrenching emotion.
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