The album starts out with the eerie first single, "Ghost" a distorted, jumbled tune that features the terrific lead vocals of Aaron Gillespie, who lends a great deal to the band's artistic direction and their overall musical output that has made them one of the unsung bands in the burgeoning Florida music scene. The disc's title track is a melodic, toned down affair featuring lush guitar arrangements, and a sharp, driven musical outlook that showcases the diversity that the band is capable of, and is refreshing to see the band's new musical identity taking shape right before your eyes. My favorite track off the album is the fast paced "I'm Down" an outstanding, pulsating track that features blasting guitar riffs and Aaron's focused and driven vocal abilities pouring into every space of the track with a force and brevity not seen or implemented on a grander scale until now, just a perfect all around tune. "Come On" is a dazzling, simple structured tune that features breezy, melodically structured guitar riffs that bring in you almost immediately upon first listen, and give you an idea of the musical course they're about to embark on in the second half of the album.
And the second half gets off to a rousing start on "Fight Song" an intense, frenetic rocker that sees the band adjusting tempos and putting it into overdrive here with fast paced guitar riffs and pounding drum arrangements that clearly articulate the band's musical direction and where they're headed. "i Won't Let Go" features some nifty guitar arrangements that were featured in the beginning portion of the album, and sees the band continuing their push towards the conclusion of the album with a sensational track that leaves you in awe and wonder of what they're going to do next. We get ready to close out the album with "Love Is Coming Down" a somber, laid-back tune that is significantly lower in terms of speed and intensity, and offers up something different from the guys to give you a little diversity and show the band's full musical arsenal right before you. "Lonely Boy" concludes matters here on the album with a sleek, toned out musical number that features some distinct country influences embedded in the background that showcase the band's influences that are representative of the area in which they live, and also showcase the band's refocused musical dynamic that has been breathtaking to see and has developed into a thoroughly enjoyable musical experience as a whole. I've been a huge fan of The Almost's music from the get go, ever since their debut in 2007 "Southern Weather", I've completely idolized Aaron's skills as a drummer, musician, and frontman. He totally exudes drive and confidence and has been a huge inspiration to me both musically and personally, and it's astonishing to see the musical progression him and the band have made from their debut to their latest effort heard here.
Looking back, a terrific and full fledged effort here from The Almost, who have taken a huge leap forward in terms of musical progression and physical presence with a sharply focused effort here that exudes confidence and charisma from all band members involved, and sees the band largely abandoning their old musical fingerprint and evolving into a full featured rock band capable of anything that they see fit.
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- Ghost
- Fear Inside Our Bones
- I'm Down
- Never Be Like You
- Come On
- The Florida Sun
- Fight Song
- I Won't Let Go
- So What
- Love Is Coming Down
- Lonely Boy
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