As Cities Burn - "Clouds" (2007)

As Cities Burn are a band from my home state of Louisiana. Yes, the name of the band is incredibly emo. I know this but I refuse to let it affect the music, because the music is actually quite good. On their 2005 debut, Son I Loved You At Your Darkest, As Cities Burn were essentially a different band. Almost every track on that record had a heavy emphasis on screaming, with varying results. In 2006 the band announced they would breaking up at the end of the summer because lead vocalist TJ Bonnette would be leaving the band. On what was to be their farewell tour, the band got an overwhelming response from fans who asked them not to break up. They took that advice and have now released their sophomore album Come Now Sleep. On this album, guitarist (and brother of ex-singer TJ) Cody Bonnette takes over the lead vocals. He sang on a few tracks on the first album but here he finds his niche. The guitar work on Come Now Sleep is fantastic. As Cities Burn have achieved a sound that is truly their own with the guitar tones on this record. The lyrics are pretty heavy this time around, with lots references to spiritual struggle. I think that honesty is what makes this a great album. Today's song is not the catchiest or even my favorite song on the album, but it is the most original. "Clouds" starts with actual street recordings done by members of the band. They asked random people to share their thoughts on God and parts of the responses are weaved throughout the song. The lyrics deal with how we view God and how we can never truly understand His greatness. I see it as a call to refrain from trying to make God what we want Him to be and try to better see who He really is.


As Cities Burn - "Clouds"