Review
GREENBERRY TAYLOR
Music Editor
Band: A Hero En Route
Album: Old Atlas
Having the opportunity to witness a band’s sound flourish and evolve is really something special. Fortunately, Fishbowl Records has been able to do just that with A Hero En Route.
Last June, Fishbowl reviewed the group’s fourth album, Wary As Bears. After listening, we were convinced this group was on their way to making a killer album, which is exactly what they did this time.
The group released Old Atlas, their fifth record and first full-length, in mid-September of 2011. Old Atlas album contains 11 tracks, each energized with amazing sound and powerful lyrics, completely different from one another. Hurry, a fast paced song with wonderful harmonies, kicks off the album. After listening to the album in its’ entirety, this song was the perfect choice for the number one slot.
Blind Eyes and The Next Ones, both on the faster-tempo side, follow. Each of these tracks possess that uplifting characteristics some songs have – the ones that send a chill down your spine and remind you that everything is right in the world.
Every album has a game changer, something that isn’t really expected. The ninth track, In Chains, is definitely the game changer of this album. With a mix of vocal loops, reminiscent of a Pink Floyd song, or possibly similar to something you might here on an early Cake album, In Chains is a pleasant surprise and shows the groups ability to stretch musically.
For the most part, the majority of this album is upbeat, a pleasant change-up from the groups previous album, Wary As Bears. Although, there are a few songs on the slower side, All (7) being the standout – a track sounding like a hybrid of Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) style lyrics mixed with an upbeat Norah Jones melody.
What stands out most about this album aren’t just the tempo of songs or lyrical content, but a mixture of the two. This group has honed in on their abilities, finding a balance of talent and this album is living proof of that.
While Old Atlas signifies a growth in this group, it is merely a stepping stone for where they are headed.
