I know a lot of people like to put down the whole major label system. Certainly there have been some real reasons for artists to complain over the years. The truth is, though, there are things that having real labels do for music. Here at MSJ we tend to get a lot of independent releases. I find that many of them could use the insight of a real producer. People who have been in the business and are unbiased towards music can (when the system works right) create a superior product by helping the group to see the various sides of their sound and present the music in a way that allows each song to complement the others around it. Such is the case with this release. It’s a pop rock styled album, but it really shows how varying the sound from song to song makes for a very strong release overall. That’s sorely missing in a lot of independent music.

I really like this disc a lot. Much of the music shares a lot of territory with Sister Hazel, but these guys aren’t restricted in that aspect either. Apparently these guys are essentially Christian rock. That brings in a whole other problem area. So many Christian artists are so concerned with their “ministry” that the music is an afterthought. That’s not the case here. In fact, if you didn’t sit down and look at the lyric sheet you’d probably never realize that it’s Christian music. It’s just great music. Even when you do realize it, these guys don’t knock you over the head with it. Their religion just sits at the heart of who they are and what their art is. It is reflected in the lyrics but doesn’t dominate or smother them.

If you like modern pop rock music, you’ll probably love this. These guys combine that alternative rock meets pop sound with country, blues and folk influences. All of it is woven into a tapestry that’s cohesive and entertaining, but never feels old or tired. It’s a great album, no matter how you slice it.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2010  Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.

This rocker starts off with a very country-influenced pop rock sound. It powers out to a more electrified performance further down the musical road. I like this track a lot. It’s one that sounds more like Sister Hazel than some of the other stuff. There’s a gang vocal section later, though, that somehow reminds me of The Proclaimers. We get some harmonica on the powered up jam that serves to end the track.

A string section starts this off. It gives way to a ballad that’s just acoustic guitar and vocals. This also makes me think of Ken Block and the rest of Sister Hazel. It gets more involved as the cut continues, but remains mellow and balladic. This is pretty and heartfelt. The rhythm section brings in a more rock texture later, but it still is really a ballad.