Music

A decent enough Alternative Rock album, but this may be a disappointing Guster album. It might be more fair to simply say it is not their best. There are definitely some good songs on the album, some of which are even reminiscent of Guster albums-gone-by. Maybe the songs towards end will grow on me as I continue to listen to this album, but so far the strength is really the first two-thirds of the album and the last song.

01. Lightening Rod This is a pretty weak opening track. I keep waiting either for something to happen or to hear "I'm off on a rocket ship," which would be nothing but an improvement. But I guess on this album, any similarity, however small, to their first three albums is a good thing. This sounded much better live.

02. Satellite This is a decent track (better than the first anyway), but I am disappointed in how poorly Ryan's voice projects here. He has a relatively distinct sound that is somewhat of a Guster signature and it is lost in this song.

03. Manifest Destiny This is one of my favorite tracks on the album. I like the tune, I like the tempo, I like the lyrics. I like the whole feel of the song. My first time or two through the album I thought the keyboard at the beginning of the song meant Ben Folds was going to sing me a little ditty, but that feeling was brief.

04. One Man Wrecking Machine This is the first single released from the album. I heard it for the first time when I watched the video which was sent out to the guster e-mail list. I think I like it a little more each time I hear it and the video captures the mood of the song perfectly.

05. The Captain This song, maybe more than others on this album, really reminds me of the old Guster albums. Oh, and in case you haven't picked up on that yet...that is a good thing. The instrumentals do run a little long here, but good song overall.

06. New Underground This one has been growing on me. I wasn't sure if I thought the energy was too much for me from Guster, but I find it works well.

07. Ruby Falls This song really sets me at ease...until about two and a half minutes into it when the awkward, screechy guitar chimes in. I like the vocals, but some of the notes are just too drawn out in the music. The song does drag a little.

08. C'mon If I had to guess which song would be released as the second single, it would be C'mon. It's definitely a good song and would promote the album well.

09. Empire State Guster has made songs like this one before that are just too slow for my taste. I know someone likes them, or they wouldn't keep making them. I am just not one of them who does.

10. Dear Valentine Another ho-hum track. It's better than the last one, but still nothing to write home about.

11. The Beginning of The End I do not like the mix of vocals and instruments here. The music seems to be accompanying a different singer. I have no complaints with Ryan's singing, but the music has to go in this one.

12. Hang On This seems to be stranded alone in a sea of weak songs here at the end. Move this song up a few tracks and you'll know when it is over you won't have to listen to the last few songs. Hang On is pretty good.

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