Modern pop-art-rock, with a strong acousto-metal influence (think Opeth – “Damnation”). A decent producer away from being a really quality band. Driving, dirge-ing, droning. A little dark and emo, but overall a solid record. If you know The Pineapple Thief, you’re not far off. Very A-File-and-beyond worthy. REX: 4, 14, 10, 11, 8, 2, 7 (aka any non-filler track would be a good idea).

1. Instrumental intro track (0:53)

2. * Chock full of toms. Driving. Ethereal vocals. Dark. (5:16)

3. Buzzy ostinato guitars. Arabian/metal vibe, but clean. More upbeat chorus. (3:56)

4. *** Good chill (but epic) vibe. Kinda Radiohead “Reckoner”-esque on the verses. Powerful choruses and breakdown. A dance-able 7/8 time signature. (6:09)

5. Pseudo-arabian instrumental filler track. (1:46)

6. Creepy, dark. Interesting harmonies on the choruses. (5:12)

7. * A nice, varied track. Soft, loud, ethereal, bombastic. Cool “choir” outro. (5:17)

8. ** Fiddle? Fits, surprisingly, and with the pounding acoustic guitar and 11/8 and 12/8 time signatures, the track has a Beirut-if-they-weren’t-so-damn-happy-all-the-time feel. (3:59)

9. Instrumental filler track. Not that I’m against that, but doesn’t make sense for radio, imo. (1:05)

10. **Another Radiohead-does-a-sad-song track (“How to Disappear Completely”, etc.). Which means it’s good. Also, amazing amazing bombastic outro. (5:33)

11. ** A moderately happy track! Short, sweet, to the point. Syrupy and wonderful. (2:38)

12. * 5/8, booming toms, alternating major/minor. Great piano break-out for the choruses. (5:03)

13. 30-seconds intro. This song is just an inferior version of everything else on the album. (3:43)

14. *** An upbeat tune, and a great closer. Tinkly pianos everywhere. Almost beats out track 4 as best on the album, but for the “hard” sections being a little too much for me. (5:23)

--21echoes