Review Summary: Fresh, if a bit over-produced.
This album is a bit top-heavy. Most of the good/decent songs come at the front. That said, even the decent ones aren't all catchy (most are). The live versions that have been uploaded to youtube of some of these songs are likely better than their studio counterparts. The Blossoms worked with 2 producers of REM fame on this album and some of it is just over-produced. However, some of its production makes it sound new and different (they've made it brand new again----if you get that reference).
Highlights include the opening track "Break", which is their strongest song since 2006's "Learning the Hard Way". Robin Wilson opens up with some back-and-forth acoustic playing and then some REM-like electric guitar comes in. This is followed up by some nice solos on both guitarists' part, which are divided between the left and right ears of the stereo.
After that, a similarly styled song "Face the Dark" comes on. It is very catchy and may potentially be the first single off the album. The guitars are REM-esque but also very 60's-ish. This may be their Byrds influence coming through.
Track 12 - "Forever is this Night" sounds like a sped up "Until I Fall Away", but in a good way. It is jangly, but not just a repeat of everything they've done in the past. It feels fresh.
With all this in mind, nearly half the album is filler, and that is the downside. It makes one wonder why they bothered to put 14 songs on in the first place (JFK *** Show isn't a song).
