Spoken "A Moment of Imperfect Clarity" CD
[Tooth & Nail]
This is basically heavy emo/alternative type stuff in an MTV kind of way. It's not too poppy (but definitely catchy), and it's not metallic at all, but they've got a nice thick sound that gives the basic melodic chord progressions a heavier edge. The singing has a high-pitched nasally side to it that grates on my nerves a little bit, but I can get used to it after awhile. Most of the songs are moderately paced and simply structured, occasionally messing with the dynamics a little with some different effects on the guitars, vocal harmonies, or clean passages... but 95% of this stuff is straightforward and tends to sound the same. The only minor setback being that some of the songs drag on for more than four or five minutes and become tedious. It's also one of those discs where the first few songs are pretty good, and then it's just a lull of songs that don't really jump out all that much or anything. The only thing I dislike about the production is that the vocals are mixed too far out front. They're not way out there, but since the singing is nasally as it is the vocals definitely do not need to be made any more prominent. Everything else sounds awesome, though. Clear, dense, hard hitting... it's pretty professional and totally polished. I like most of the layout if for no other reason than the colors and textures are cool and the text is really crisp and compact. A good 75% of the layout revolves around posed group shots of the band, which isn't my thing, but it doesn't look unprofessional at all here. The lyrics I can't really handle because they're all sappy personal stuff with some way over the top christian elements. "Heaven opened wide and I could see the glory of god shining down through my clouds of doubt..." Nah, I'll pass. Lyrics aside, I can listen to this. It's not the kind of thing I'd choose to throw on the CD player, but if every song was as catchy as the first couple of tracks I'd probably spin it now and then just for the hell of it. I like good songs, no matter what... and these guys have that ability, they just haven't fully honed it yet. (6/10)
Running time - 45:08, Tracks: 11
[Notable tracks: Across These Waters, Promise, How Long]
Tooth & Nail Records - http://www.toothandnail.com

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