Remedy Drive isn’t a band that’s unfamiliar to change, not by any means. Starting off in 1998 as The Aslan Band, the four Zach brothers--David, Paul, Phillip, and Daniel--would undergo several name changes before being introduced to the world as Remedy Drive in 2008. 

 

The band charted several songs, including “Daylight” and “All Along,” but after their debut success, the band seemed to have disappeared. Fans questioned whether the band was still together. 

 

Their answer came in early 2011, but not without it’s share of surprise. After seven years of nonstop touring, three of the four brothers--Paul, Phillip, and Daniel—announced they were leaving the band to spend more time with their families. 

 

Remedy Drive front-man, David Zach, continued the band and welcomed three new “brothers” in their place. Fans were unsure about the change, as is normal in any such case, but it wasn’t long before they’d get a taste of the new of Remedy Drive, with the release of their May 2011 EP, Light Makes A Way.

 

The EP starts off with the title track, showcasing the band’s signature sound--an underlying groove juxtaposed against gritty guitars. My favorite track, “Hold On” comes next, and talks about our dependency on God when all everything else around us is gone. Lyrically, it showcases a raw depth from primary songwriter David Zach. The chorus declares: “You give me something better, more than just a feeling. You give me something real to hold on to.” It’s a maturity you’ll see throughout the entire project.

 

“Don’t Wait Too Long” gives off a musical vibe reminiscent of secular counterpart Coldplay, while the acoustically driven “Follow Me” is a song written to Zach’s son. In it, he confronts some of life’s hardest questions. He ultimately responds that he doesn’t have all the answers, but how he hopes that his son will follow in his footsteps by seeking the face of God. While lyrically, it’s a bit unconventional, it has a beautiful heart behind it. 

 

The EP comes to a close with “Disappear,” which tackles the subject of fear and reminds the listener of the hope we have in God, and the burdens (fears) He wants to bear for us.

 

Often times, when a band must undergo a drastic transition, it leads to a drastic change in sound. But despite all changes Remedy Drive has made in the last several months, their style, somehow, remains the same. The only difference that stood out to me was the lack of a polished studio feel. While pop/rock driven, this EP is very raw and unfiltered sounding, which might be the deciding factor in whether people like it or not. 

 

All that aside, Light Makes A Way is something longtime fans of the band will enjoy, and it will certainly whet their appetites for new music while the band continues to tour and write new stuff. The next chapter in the story of Remedy Drive has yet to be written, but it’ll be exciting to see how it all unfolds.