Ever wonder what would happen if the guys in Underoath
were not allowed to max their distortion pedals or
scream at all? Ever wonder what would happen if their
one-eyed drummer could create a whole record in his
quasi-whiney-but-yet-still-beautiful voice? Ever wonder
what would have happened if Spencer had not joined
Underoath and they had continued down the road they
were going before he came along? If these questions
have ever crossed your mind, then “Southern
Weather” is the album for you.
This 11 track album is perfect for a long trip. “Say
This Sooner” is the windows down cant wait to
get going opener that sets the stage for the journey
and is full of hype and energy. That sort of them
carries into “Drive There Now!” which
sounds just like an Underoath song (seriously, it
would fit right in on “They’re Only Chasing
Safety”). “Dirty and Left Out” is
a highlight as it slows things down and lets things
settle in your gut with its slide guitar and Jeremy
Enigk’s soothing vocals melding seamlessly with
Aaron’s. “I Mostly Copy Other People”
is another Underoath b-side and things carry along
in such a manner for the rest of the album. Half the
time you think you are listening to Underoath and
half the time you realize this is something different.
It is the latter that make this album viable while
the former makes it sound like Aaron wishes he could
scream so he could do the whole Underoath thing solo.
Normally side-projects hint at the direction that
the main-band is going in (see The New Amsterdams
vs. The Get Up Kids) and The Almost is no exception.
But when Aaron Gillespie steps away from the comfortable
vocal patterns from his Underoath songs he creates
some seriously memoriable moments.
Key Tracks: Dirty and Left Out, Never Say “I
Told You So”
Reviewed by: Rob Froese
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