Balance and Composure is a band that plays an emo and alternative-rock-influenced style of punk that stands out through a level of musicianship not often found in a younger band.
With their first album recorded before some of the members had made it out of their teens, the progression of their music is all the more surprising.
From the outset, the band establishes themselves as a more sophisticated act than your average punk group.
Their song writing is well developed and fleshed out and the opening guitars on “Parachutes” kick The Things We Think We’re Missing off with a subtle but effective hook.
The vocals blend well with the music, employing clean singing with, in places, layered backing that often delves into mild screaming territory, best employed on “Back Of Your Head”.
“Ella” is a haunting slow paced song steeped in reverb that shows off a willingness to experiment and show vulnerability instead of keeping the tempo up and pounding. This also shines out on the simple but eerie acoustic number, “Dirty Head”.
The music has a depth and texture that enables the elements of the songs to take their place comfortably. This can be an issue in some sections where things work a little too smoothly and sound somewhat humdrum.
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Fortunately, the writing never becomes too dull or uninteresting thanks to the well worded lyrics and thoughtful arrangements.
The Things We Think We’re Missing is a solid record and a gem for its genre. While it may not stand out as a contender for an album of the year list, it is a steady progression for the band and a solid record overall.
