No doubt this will attract "What's this review doing on the RevelationZ website?" type comments. Suggesting 1. NST are not worthy or, 2.
We should close our mind to anything not overtly metal.
Not that I need to justify its inclusion, but, not to put too fine a point on it... this is Melodic Rock for the here and now. Yes, you can hear the mellifluous pop tones of bands like Snow Patrol,
Arcade Fire and Coldplay in NST. But hey! You can also hear - if you listen hard - a twenty first century update on eighties legends like
Journey (
Narcotic) and Don Henley (
Brighten Up) and many more.
Produced by the scarily young Ted Comerford, in places it sounds a little formulaic, maybe even calculated. Cut and tailored to fit a Lowest Common Denominator audience who're always clamouring for new product that sounds, well, the same as the old product, only better.
Thankfully, 'better' is clearly the operative word on this debut album of piano driven rock, laced with intricate acoustic patterns, adhesive melodies, spacious soundscapes and Whalen's scorched voice.
Album standout,
'Burned' is a bright, shining, melodic rock gem. As with many tracks here, its momentum comes from a strong, melancholy undertow.
It opens with a staccato riff, a tinkling piano and breathy, Bono like vocals. It builds quickly through Jeff Wharen's quivering falsetto to an inviting bridge and chorus.
Smoothly romantic ballad
'Into Your Sun' sits cheek by jowl with the shimmering rush of '
One In Ten' and the summery, chiming yet dark edged melodic rock of the Crowded House (or should that be Split Enz?) like '
Perfect'.
Magnificently apposite (and appropriately titled) closer '
Gone' is worked up from a slender tune into a song that floats on spare, streamlined harmonies and resounding, resonating chords on the ever present, sound defining piano. It smoulders and sparks satisfyingly for a while, before reaching a moving, heartfelt climax.
The band's literary, poetic name is no coincidence.
Written by
Brian Monday, July 16, 2007
Show all reviews by BrianRatingsBrian: 6.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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