Take a Deep Breath
Posted October 29, 2007
By IronJedi,
When 7Spin Music's band Sevenglory released their national debut in early 2006, their sound was an easily identifiable blend of musical influences: 80's southern rock bands .38 Special and Bad Company; 90's pop-rockers Extreme and Hootie & the Blowfish; and peers like Big Dismal and Seven Places. With the release of their sophomore project, Atmosphere, the band explores ever broader musical vistas, and in the process, soars to even loftier heights. The music of their debut, Over the Rooftops, was like an unremitting summer day- catchy, straightforward heartland rock, whereas Atmosphere's panoramic, modern rock influenced sound is more like a robust gust of fresh air after a spring rain.
Josh Parsons' guitar continues to be the definitive instrument, though it is much more nuanced exhibiting more layers and variety. Brothers Gabe and Caleb Johannes continue to lay down the crisp and dense rhythmic backbone for each track. Much like their use in Over the Rooftops, keyboards remains sparse and understated- guitars and drums are the hub that the songs of Atmosphere are built around.
The rousing pace of the opening track, "All You Want" continues unabated through "All Of This For You," "Just Me (the first radio single)," and "Let It Be Love (a Relient K-like ditty);" slows just enough to catch it's breath with "The Hope" and "The Best Is Yet To Come" bouncing between mid-tempo ballads with a anthemic choruses. The first real break, "Even The Blues," is a Coldplay-like ballad that showcases lead singer Fred Butson's vocal maturity and prowess. From there, the album segues into the mixed tempo, indie-rock flavored title track, before finishing things up with the tonally distinct "Lay It Down" and the radio-ready "Show The Light." Each song is unique and stands on its own merits. The band mixes things up but practices enough control to keep the sound coherent.
Much like their debut, this album has an ineffable quality- something you can't quite put your finger on that makes it distinctive and special. Fans of modern rock bands A.F.I., Downhere, Fall Out Boy, Jackson Waters, and even Relient K should take a deep breath and enjoy the freshness that Atmosphere offers.
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