In this singles-driven, instant-gratification iTunes era, it’s hard to believe an indie band would dare to dream up a real deal, gotta-listen-to-the-whole-thing, concept album. The Jesus Rehab is ready to test that collective attention span on their heart-piercing full length debut, The Highest Highs and the Lowest Lows.

A follow-up to The Jesus Rehab’s 2007 EP Scatterbrained, The Highest Highs and the Lowest Lows is a captivating experience that brilliantly delivers instantly infectious, radio-ready tracks (for those with shorter attention spans who take life one tune at a time!) The collection was produced by a prodigious musical force the members even named an honorary fifth member of the band: Brin Addison, a mainstay on the Seattle scene who has worked the boards for Chris Cornell and Smashmouth, among others.

Throughout the album, the band builds intense rock energy, deep grooves and intricate harmonies around frontman Jared Cortese’s semi-autobiographical lyrics. A journey grounded in the ups and downs of a past relationship, the songs on The Highest Highs and the Lowest Lows carry the listener through the mental progression of a life in upheaval. Succumbing to the realization that he’s addicted to the ups and downs, the protagonist lets it all go in the album’s namesake track, “The Highest Highs & Lowest Lows.” Even the greatest indie bands sometimes obscure their deepest emotions behind a wall of sonic adventure; with The Jesus Rehab, the lyrics and storylines are as compelling and richly textured as the music, an integral part of the experience that reveal new insights with each fresh listen.

In an interview with the charismatic Cortese, he relates that “the project started as an attempt to learn how to write a love song. But, I was clueless about what love really is, and I ended up with this epic story about love, life and figuring out your own weaknesses.”

Tracks exemplifying the cool mood swings include the buoyant, infectious “If It Feels Good It Is Good,” which captures the go with the flow, happy go lucky attitude before the fall; as well as the reflective, mid-tempo “Memories Are Better Than Photographs,” about the importance of living in the moment and reflecting later on the vitality of it. The Jesus Rehab then brings us the frenetic and funky “Nervous Energy,” a song typifying the first crisis in a young man’s confidence. The last song, “Reprise,” brings the protagonist’s journey full circle, using an instrumental compilation to humanize his final flight away from his negative emotions and closer to what is in his heart. This minimalist piece was inspired by Cortese’s interest in the work of Philip Glass.

The Jesus Rehab was formed in 2005 by lead singer, Jared Cortese (who also plays guitar and piano) and drummer Pete Kingham, in a basement in the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard. After a year of playing as a duo, the band lured in Pete’s brother Andy Kingham to play bass. In 2007, The Jesus Rehab recorded Scatterbrained, and expanded to include guitarist, Dan Laughlin. While Pete is no longer playing with The Jesus Rehab, he shared drum duties on the album with Dominic Cortese (Jared Cortese’s brother), now a permanent member of the band.

As the band has evolved, it has honed its live act with its increasingly intense rock sound, driving rhythms and harmonies that have been favorably compared to Queen, The Flaming Lips, and Modest Mouse. The Jesus Rehab has played all over the Northwest, including at Seattle’s mainstays: The Tractor Tavern, The Nectar Lounge, and The High Dive. During the summer of 2010 The Jesus Rehab played a 10-date tour throughout Washington and Oregon.