No Matter How You Look At It
Posted August 01, 2008
By IronJedi,
Talented Buckeye-State Band This Beautiful Republic is preparing to drop their much-anticipated follow-up, Perceptions, mid-August. The band’s sophomore effort validates the positive attention the band received and the acclaim garnered by their 2007 debut. Following the pattern established by Even Heroes Need A Parachute, TBR has created a worthy sequel of songs, coupling lyrics of substance to driving modern rock.
Perceptions’ songs intersect many points of the emotional spectrum. “Surrender Saved My Life,” “No Turning Back,” “My God,” and “Last Second Chance” surge into raucously raw territory while “Pain,” “Change The World,” and “Say Goodnight” allay into a passionate, yet sincere gravitas. Each track is expressively grounded by Ben Olin’s powerful vocals and expansive delivery; layered with the appropriate emotional texture without losing sight of an indisputably hopeful outlook.
The music of Perceptions is an aggressive mixture of guitar-dominated rock which buffets the listener with intensely hammering rhythms; and skillfully polished, graduated vignettes of a more modern milieu. The band’s tightly superb musicianship makes for a bracing listening experience. Perceptions fully showcases This Beautiful Republic’s innate talent and unmistakable growth as confident, mature songwriters and musicians.
Much like Even Heroes Need A Parachute, Perceptions avoids vagueness and inconsequentiality, opting for eyes-wide-open authenticity… at least that’s the way this reviewer sees it. Fans who recognize Anberlin, Ever Stays Red, Falling Up, Filter, Seventh Day Slumber and 12 Stones as favorites should look into grabbing this album as soon as it hits shelves.
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