I wonder if Equal Vision records are really worried about Armageddon or something because it seems that they have been stock-piling a shit load of bands lately. With heavy hitters Coheed and Cambria, Alexisonfire, Vaux, and Bear vs. Shark tearing around it looks like Equal Vision is about to reign terror on the planet in the name of good, original music. Time in Malta is another one of these bands. I saw these guys open for Hot Water Music a couple years ago and was really impressed. I got to the show late so I only got to see Time in Malta's last three songs. But that was all the motivation I needed to buy A Second Engine, TIM's first full length.

Ever since I have really been into this band and the primo music they've been making. Alone With the Alone is TIM's second full length album on Equal Vision and if the energy of this band could be channeled correctly it would probably meet the electrical needs of Las Vegas for about a month or so. TIM is four dudes from the rolling hills of San Francisco, but make no mistake they're no pansies. They could kick your dad's ass in a second just by throwing a couple of their cranium crunching riffs from their tattooed arm sleeves. Alone With the Alone is a bit more cleaned up than TIM's 2002 release of A Second Engine - an album that was brimming with raw brilliance, but a bit sloppy and uneven. TIM seems to have figured out what they want to do and have produced a gem in a world of cinders.

This album mixes it up with more melodic singing and majestic, well composed slower songs. Come on, even tough guys can unleash emotions. Lyrically, the songs are kind of politically ambiguous and mostly tend to focus on personal turmoil. The recording starts out with a spacey instrumental and then abruptly jumps in your ears with both feet. I would say the best song would go to "Tightrope." This songs' harsh breakdown alone will rip you a new asshole. "Tightrope" showcases how TIM singer, Todd Guillon, can harmonize intense, aggressive vocals amongst the barrage of lightning bolts flying around from the amplifiers. With the closing line "Hold up your fire, raise up your dead, and cry hope. You think we're going to crumble with our backs up against the wall? Never." makes "Tightrope" the song you want to listen to as you're working out; particularly if you want to burn 2000 calories an hour and flirt with an aneurysm. The one song that is probably the best one for mom and dad to hear is "Ghosts." It's a little slower and dare I say it, poppier sounding than the rest.

Overall a great record from TIM; check it out if you know what's good for ya, because this shit gets you going. Screw Red Bull and it's fruity little wings - TIM straps a rocket-pack to your back.