Sherwood's A Different Light: A story forever told, but never old
Written: May 02 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Upbeat, catchy...The usual suspects
Cons: Fairly watered down; Traditional lyrics
The Bottom Line: Don't shake off that recommendation so easily, despite the pedestrian rating
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| smarterthan3's Full Review: A Different Light - Sherwood |
On the metaphoric side of things, pop-rock band Sherwood is like the nice, slightly pale, guy/girl in your school or neighborhood. You've got nothing against them, but you really couldn't imagine yourself hanging out with them and truly enjoying yourself. The listening experience that is "A Different Light" is the equivalent of hanging out with that person you have in mind; You actually find out the experience itself isn't half bad, enjoyable even, but you won't be tearing your hair out if you're unable to do it again for another couple weeks.
Sherwood is a pop-rock quartet formed in college, who will tell people their minds are on bringing old school rock influence into their danceable rock music. It's quite suitable that the band is currently on tour with Relient K and Mae, since I would say quite innocently that Sherwood is a musical combination of those two groups. Slightly less than 4 minutes into the album, and you'll have a clear picture of what exactly that mating would sound like. Opener "Song in my Head" is simultaneously invigorating, with giddy keys, and relatable with catchy, but downtrodden lyrics that contrast the seemingly naive musical happiness: "You were a song in my head, the warmth of the sheets in my bed, a story forever told, but never old...A warm arrival never left so cold."
"The Best of Me" (You owe me a dollar for every ten seconds after your first five that you have to take to guess this song's preaching point) is as equally simplistic charasmatically and converting in the fledgling musical declarations as the album introduction. But it's "Middle of the Night" that takes the subtle power of those devices and translates them into a mildly rebellious hook and all the intentioned grit of a twelve year old. I do like the song though, thanks to nostalgia and some nice flexing of vocalist Nate Henry's sound pex.
With all the soothing elements of a lullaby and the smooth swallowing experience of non-boisterous techno music, Alley Cat tranquilizes with a convincing vocal performance and a suave electronic beat. "Give Up!" takes a pleasantly aggressive stance with a suggestively ticked vocal approach and unique, accordion-esque guitar vibrations. While not enticing musically, "Never Ready to Leave" is good stuff because Nate, moreso then at other points in the album, sounds like a twin of Matthew Thiessen (Read: Not identical, but scarily similar and definitely related). Add in solid, sometimes clever, lyrics throughout ("So this is how it feels like to be 24; A thief without a key to an open door") for a nice sum small enough to not bother turning in, but big enough to tuck.
I could imagine up convincing adjective descriptors and tack them on to almost any song featured here on Sherwood's sophomore album, save for the trio tacked on to bid farewell to the listener that are a more boring rather then a painful listen. But, as feel-good as the music is, it's hardly unique, though never blatantly contrived, and lacks an ingredient labeled secret by those who don't know what it is or how to correctly harness it. There isn't a whole lot wrong with "A Different Light" but there also isn't anything truly special about it. They are pro athletes doing their job without flair, scandal, or fame for their shallowness or humbleness (And they aren't nearly good enough for the latter virtue to be considered worthwhile by the public); So, if you want, call them underrated. I'll call them good, simply, and listen to them whenever the occasional itch hints at its intentions.
Recommended:
Yes
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smarterthan3
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Member: Jim
Reviews written: 194
Trusted by: 52 members
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If I was worth dying for, this God is worth living for
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