Stick With It
'Bleed For You' opens this album against a backdrop of guitar cascades split by vocally led interludes. There is no doubt that this number is presented with passion, but it does need a more definite direction. 'Ashe Ashes' has a vocal duelling that works much better, as does 'A Minor Detail', which is where the real potential that the band has starts to shine.
'The Point' is a balladic number that threads the vocals and instruments together extremely well but is lightweight in sound. This is an excellently constructed number. 'The Innocent Ones' comes into this category to and backed by excellent vocals will have you reaching for that lighter to wave. And 'Twenty Below' provides angst and pain in a very well crafted song.
The band are tight and the sound they produce here is top quality. Both the bass and drum work shine in this one. 'Garden Statement' has a good guitar based rhythm and again shows what these guys can really do. 'American Classic' is spot on with its sound and message. The balance is just right here and there is a melodic framework that is built on as the song progresses. 'In Memory' is dark and has a correspondingly deeper feel to it but needs heavier vocals. 'Halcyon Daze' is a light teenage angst ridden number that although well written and performed does not particularly leave any impression.
It isn't until you get to 'A Minor Detail' that you can really appreciate what this band are capable of. It is the mid section of this album that has the best music and so you need to stick with it to get the benefit of this bands sound.