Review Summary: Energetic and straightforward album. Good musicians playing music they and you love.
Chris Higdon was the lead singer and sole constant member of the band Elliott. It started as 90’s emo (this word won’t be used anymore in this review) band which evolved its sound with each album. The last album sounding like a dreamer ‘Ok Computer’. The band broke up around 2004. So when the album by Chris’ new band appeared in 2010, I was half expecting a Radiohead album or an acoustic singer-songwriter album. What I got was a true 90’s rock album, scratch that a true rock album.
The album has no slow songs. It’s not a concept album either, songs don’t flow into each other, there are no segues or transitions, it’s a rock song after a rock song. The Songs are organic, instruments start and stop, guitars play small melodies for a few seconds only to disappear never to be heard again. Guitars constantly alternate from choppy riffs, to wailing solos to anthemic choruses never letting you get a hold of the song. It all feels thought out, but not engineered.
Chris has a wonderful high pitched voice. At times it’s hard to know what he is exactly singing as he often slurs. This does let you enjoy the vocal melodies instead of analyzing the meaning behind the words. On the other hand the catchiest choruses are sang with pride in a crystal clear voice. It’s hard to listen to “Poor Souls” without singing “Our hands are cold but out hearts will burn forever”.
The album’s strongest point is its downside. As it has not flow it’s hard to remember what’s currently playing or what’s coming next. During its 38 minute runtime the album never runs out of breath but you might and you’ll wish there is a slow song in a middle just so you could take a breather.
So album is a solid 3.5, make it a 4 if you like unpretentious music.
