[3/5]
When Aiden officially crawled out of the Seattle underground with 2005's Nightmare Anatomy, they had a great story (singer wiL Francis trades addiction for rock 'n' roll), undeniable style (think AFI meet the Misfits), and a clever marketing plan (how cool is calling yourself a "horror rock" band?). All that was missing were the songs. Conviction is a dramatic leap forward. Where the unmemorable Nightmare offered sloppy creep-core and paint-by-numbers emo, the band's impressively tight, '80s-tinted third full-length actually has hooks. The best track, "Believe," starts out a piano-plinked lullaby and then brilliantly morphs into a stadium-sized bro-hymn. Equally dramatic is "The Sky Is Falling," which switches off the Marshalls for soft-focus acoustic guitar and 4 a.m.-reverie vocals. It's not all the second coming of The Black Parade, though, as U2-lite guitars and neon-flavored synths make "One Love" and "She Will Love You" sound like dated leftovers from the soundtrack to Pretty In Pink. Still, give Aiden credit for reinventing themselves. Two years ago, no one would have thought it possible. (VICTORY) Mike Usinger
 Official Website: http://www.victoryrecords.com
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