Modern Ruin in Bloomington, MN

The second full-length effort from the ex-
Gallows
frontman and his pit of
Rattlesnakes
,
Modern Ruin
retains all the bite of
Carter
and company's 2015 debut,
Blossom
, while incorporating some of the more melodic, modern rock tendencies of his previous project,
Pure Love
.
remains an imposing and compelling figure, as capable of crooning as he is spitting up plumes of ire, and
's best moments arrive via a synthesis of the two persuasions. Lead singles "Lullabye" and "Snakes Eyes," the former a brooding, melody rich alt-rocker that navigates the aural divide between
Muse
and
Queens of the Stone Age
, and the latter an emo-tinged, dark arena-punk lament, occur early in the proceedings, laying the groundwork for the remainder of the 12-track set, which largely follows suit. The one outlier is the stirring closer "Neon Rust," a slow-building dystopian call to arms written for
's daughter that laments "Everything is murder, there's no mystery" and "We don't belong in a wasteland." Despite its varying sonic proclivities,
is a punk album at heart, but that
ends this latest salvo with hope for a better, more empathy-driven future for his child shows that he's capable of more than just mosh pit-inducing invective. ~ James Christopher Monger