Review Summary: A beautiful dissonance.
When I first started listening to Turnover's debut LP, I did a double-take - how could this be the same band that released 2011's self-titled EP? Between their EP and Magnolia, Turnover's switch in musical style was so drastic I had to check I was listening to the same band. But this is one of those cases where the phrase "you've changed, man!" can only really be congratulatory, as the band's musical output has grown into a beautifully executed melting pot of indie rock, pop-punk and emo.
Vocalist Austin Getz has completely flicked the switch on vocal style in this record, shifting from a gritty angst-fueled delivery (as present in their self-titled effort) to a more indie/emo-inspired style, while avoiding being overly dramatic. This approach sees Getz making effective use of his low, mid and upper vocal ranges, allowing for vocal delivery which is both dynamic and complementary to lyrical themes. A great example of this is the excellent opening track 'Shiver', in which the introspective mid-register vocals perfectly complement the reflective, self-searching lyrics ("I don't miss much about being home, but I miss the sound of your dogs barking as I climbed up your front steps, and how I didn't always seem to feel alone"). Important to note is that this is not a trade-off for raw vocal energy - tracks such as 'Like A Whisper' illustrate this well, where the lyrics are sung with appropriate power, with just the harsh edges trimmed away.
The instrumentation also experiences this change. Gone are the obligatory high-gain pop-punk power-chord-loving guitars and crashing drums; in its place is a much more refined construction of lightly crunchy chords, twinkling leads and drum-work which is still pop-punk-esque where complementary ('Bloom'), but demonstrates effective variation as well ('Hollow', 'Most Of The Time'). A perfect case of this instrumental maturity is the ending to the track 'Bloom', where the guitars seem to audibly weep the losses of their players.
The journey Magnolia takes its listeners on is simply phenomenal. Each track is self-searching, reflective and emotionally powerful, both in instrumentation and vocals. Where one may listen for some cheesy "I'm better now" resolution to this record, it doesn't let you off easy. Closing track 'Daydreaming' sonically and lyrically leaves its listeners in suspense, awaiting that final relieving cadence which pop-punk has made us expect too much. And it doesn't happen.
Granted, despite my visible adoration for this record, only one song lets it down in my opinion - 'To The Bottom' just melts too fluidly into the rest of the album, and doesn't really do enough to justify its presence on the record. This is probably the only track where I feel the guitar-work and vocal melodies are a little too arbitrary for my liking. Then again, it isn't terrible; it's just missing that special something present in every other track, like getting a burger without the pickle.
If you haven't listened to Turnover and you like any type of rock music at all, listen to Magnolia. If you don't really listen to pop-punk/indie/emo, this record will change your mind. It's pretty fantastic.
Recommended tracks: Shiver, Like A Whisper, Pray For Me, Hollow.
