Album Details

• Artist: Seven Storey Mountain
• Album: At The Poles
• Label: Thick
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2007-05-10

Straight on rock is having tough times these days; the "indie" tag is usually a tip off to expect cookie-cutter, semi-emo shit that sounds great after a listen or so, then gets wrapped up to sleep with the fishes. The exceptions are bands like Foo Fighters, that not only can rock and be accepted into a rigid format, but have the humor and smarts to rise above. Seven Storey Mountain rise above too, and don’t be put off by the fact that at times singer Lance Lammer sounds like a giddy Dave Grohl; this works because of originality, not cookie-cutting.

Raw but Mats’ like in their hope and ragged glory, SSM have hooks to spare, especially on "Elevator" and "Sweet Forty Nine." "Bad Day" is the soundtrack to any political debate you’ll be forced to hear about in the next year. Lammer and company can rock and ought to fit in on radio, where their power pop chops might be the most subversive thing we can hope for with the airwaves such as they are. And "So Cursed" is your new favorite tune.

User Reviews and Comments