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The Complaints Talk to Me Review by Gary Hill I have reviewed some previous discs from these guys. They always produce solid music. This set is especially catchy. The sound here lands somewhere in the vicinity of alternative rock, harder edged pop rock and even has some hints of DIY and punk. While there isn't a particularly wide range of sounds here, it never feels tired or redundant. All in all, this is accessible and yet meaty. It should appeal to a fairly wide swath of music fans, too. It's a great continuation of the legacy of The Complaints. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2018 Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review

The View Drums bring the album into being. The cut works out with a mainstream rock vibe. There are some hint of punk in the raw energy on the number, but this is a rather slow moving, more melodic number. I love the lines, "Next time your phone don't ring / It's just me."

Hangin' Out The main musical concept isn't drastically changed, but this is a different kind of number. It's almost more ballad-like than the opener was. There is a real classic rock vibe to this, and the punky elements are more or less gone. While I prefer the opener, this is quite a strong tune.

Atlas (Carry You) A classy melodic rocker, this is rather soaring and quite powerful. It's among the best music of this album.

Talk to Me Americana and a melodic rock sound merge on this number. It has a real singer/songwriter kind of vibe to it. I love the guitar fills on this, but the whole song really works so well.

Wouldn't Change a Thing While not a bit change, this is another solid tune. It has some compelling melodies. In fact, this is another highlight of the set.

Breathe A bit more of a rocker, this is no less accessible or classy. In fact, the hooks on this one are particularly infectious. I dig the piano-topped parts later a lot.

Mountains More of a balladic cut, there is still a soaring vibe to this.

Home This is based purely on piano and voice.

The View (Dark) With a very percussive basis to the song, this is more rocking and quite dramatic. It's basically a remix of the opening number. It creates a nice bookend experience for the disc.

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