Style: Classic power-pop/stadium rock; compare to Cobra Starship, Skillet
Top tracks: “Summer Summer,” “Lonely Wheel,” “Books And Books”
Since 2005, The Almost has been the outlet for Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie to indulge in his less aggressive side. And on this, the band’s second full-length, he gets downright soft at times, lapsing into slow country shuffles complete with yawning pedal steel (“Hand Grenade”) and blowsy blues-tinged rock (“Monster”). With the lighter musical touch, Gillespie puts aside explorations of faith, instead waxing nostalgic for friends, girls and the innocence of younger days. The rest of the album, though, sticks to a steady pace of fiery power pop with the occasional slip into the angry young man mode of Gillespie’s other band.
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