Review:

on 2012-07-12 gutterseed Said:

I decided to just start with the self titled album. The album sucks you in from the "intro". They remind me of Dave Matthews, only I like them better than Dave Matthews. The second song on the album "contact" has a great beat and the guitar drives the song. I'm pretty sure this band would make a very cool unplugged band.
The third song on this album is very mellow. It's called "If there's love". "You make me feel like i belong under the sun" is perhaps one of the most heartfelt lycics I've heard. Once again the guitar drives the beat, although the drumwork is definately cool.
With so many rock bands out there it's nice to find an acoustic driven band. I mean, there's always the MTV unplugged series I never tire of, but it's nice to hear a band make that their focus and not rely on screaming. I
I don't think the singers voice is all that great, then again, never was Dylans. The 4th song, "let the drum kick" picks up a little bit and takes on a life of it's own. It's a great selection to follow "if there's love" and there's some Marley influence there. I think that's a difficult thing to do. The band seems to work well with each other with lyrics that cover anything from love to reincarnation, and everything inbetween, including life's little challenge that make us work.
I really like the drumwork. It sounds like a lot of the rhythm is coming electronically, be it from drumkit or a real kit. There's also some synth and even cowbell on "Mistaken ID". I'm not sure I'd say to try them if you like Boston or Beck, or John Mayer, I would add sublime and gym class heros. Then again I've only heard one album.
I give this album an 8. I'm not sure it's something I'd want to listen to over and over, but the good thing about it is that it is mellow.
I think there's some social commentary in the lyrics that have to deal with taking wrong turns in life and overcoming them.
I like the song "salvation" as an answer to 200,000 in counterfit bills. I think it's great when an artist takes a concept of someone struggling and uses ideas like salvation to help. The message of salvation is very strong and although I think the main character has the right ideas.
In the end you realize that nobody is perfect, but the album speaks a very powerful message. People can come back from addictions and lead a very normal life, will there be slipups? Of course, but once you decide to come back to stay the will power and belief can keep you from sliding backwards. It's really a great lyrical album. The battle for one's soul, the battle to overcome the cards that life deals you and doing it because you believe it is powerful. I know I'm certainly going through some shit right now, and this album was an inspiration. I also dig the musical composition, the piano, the drums, the guitar work, and even the synthesizers in the background.
Rating: 8/10