My album of the year is... drum roll please... On Approach by Everest. Ever heard of them? Made up of five Los Angeles based singer/songwriters from different bands, Everest caught my attention on Pandora in 2008 and led me to their first album, Ghost Notes. I had been anticipating their next release since then and I wasn't disappointed. The mix of styles on this album kept me coming back to it over and over this past spring. With hints of Guster, Wilco, Neil Young, and Jeff Buckley, this album has rock, folk, pop and even a Floydian instrumental section mixed in. From Amazon.com:
"While one can draw some clues from the folks they’ve toured with – Neil Young, Wilco, My Morning Jacket – ultimately Everest is simply a great rock ‘n’ roll band in the classic, open-minded mold, something boldly apparent on their sophomore album, released April 20, 2010.
On Approach is a bold record that bolts out of the gate with an enveloping sound capable of filling large spaces, both in the outside world and between one’s ears. In broad strokes, it hits the sweet spot between stratospheric, stadium size rock and gorgeous, emotionally charged pop craftsmanship. From infectious and thumping opener “Let Go” through heavy rocker “I’ve Had This Feeling Before,” the sweet humming, “Keeping The Score,” the naked romance of “Dots,” the haunting, spacious roots rock of “East Illinois” and “Fallen Feather,” and culminating in the boiling over cascade of closer “Catalyst".
With guitars that range from bright and chiming to tense and meandering, harmonies that are both delicate and pastoral, and Pollard’s gentle, hazy vocals, On Approach is indeed reminiscent of a bygone era, a time before the Internet, when albums were still an art form and stories were told on vinyl. But as it exudes timelessness, as it ebbs from rustic grooves into hushed lullabies, it also asserts itself as something very of the here and now – something that is more than the sum of its parts."
From Popdose.com
"For On Approach, Everest adopts the old school idea of creating a two-sided vinyl album with a story that proceeds in a straight line from the start of the first track to the fade of the last. Although there’s nothing vintage about the music, the concept certainly is. From the opening amplifier buzz and drumstick count off of the opening track “Let Go” (one of my favorite tracks of the year), through the live feel of “Keeping the Score,” the rootsy rock of “East Illinois,” and the ominous, hard rocking “House of 9′s”, On Approach is an album possessed of a powerful and consistent vision."
In the reviews above and this interview with band member Russ Pollard, a lot is made about the band creating an album experience. I agree this is one you can take a journey with from start to finish, and then hit the play button right over again. Naturally, I think the recording and production are awesome, and it's a real gem on headphones. I do think the slower songs make the album drag a little, but they also serve as a nice respite between the rockers. In addition to the first two tracks, I really like Track 7 - Fallen Feather. The album ends with the song Catalyst, a strong finish that reminds me of Yes during the final seconds.
My Rating__8 out of 10 Headphones__ 8 out of 10
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