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The music industry is always changing and naturally so is whatever
is currently topping the charts. Occasionally, bands will adjust their
sound ever so slightly to fit in with that chart topping scene. In
the case of June's new album Make It Blur, I have this
hunch that that's what happened.
In a time when Fall Out Boy seems to be the band that sets
the standards for those that follow, June seems to have fallen nicely
in line. In the two years since June's last album If You Speak
Any Faster the boys have molded their emo-esque, drama rock into
something almost completely different. Starting off the album with
"No Time For Sense" was an excellent decision. The octaves
in general are much higher with this album and that's made apparent
right from the beginning. If their last album was "drama-rock"
then this album is "theatrical-rock." The variety of added
instruments proves that the band has expanded their knowledge, and
in the first song you already get to hear a background of strings.
Apparently the '80s are back, or at least they are with "Tempter."
The band brought out that power-guitar style that became so popular
with people like Rick Springfield. That guitar meshed with
a synthesizer, makes for a poppy song perfect for Pretty In Pink.
"Your Shadow" is probably the most interesting and intriguing
song on the whole album. It starts off very simple with basic chord
progressions and a hint of drums. After about a minute the drums speed
up, letting you believe the song is going to break out, yet it doesn't.
Instead, the synthesizer makes another appearance and magically, just
like that, June becomes a boy band, harmonizing in the simplest of
ways. At one point in the entire 2:19 of this song, there is a sense
of the June you've come to know on the rest of the album. But all
in all, I might have saved the two minutes and left this one off.
If you're a fan of their earlier work, "Just Don't Let Go"
brings back that mellowed-down sound, for at least one song. The album
ends slow; a lot slower than it started. The harmonizing in the last
song "Southpoint" is nice, very melodic and almost peaceful
sounding. The bridges are strong and they do escalate the song, however
if you need to take a nap, this would be the song to help you out
Being a fan of their previous album, I wanted to automatically love
this one, though what would've possibly worked better was somewhere
in between - in between the "drama" and the "theatrical."
There's talent and clearly a strong sense of musicianship, but one
can't help to think that maybe Infinity On High was playing
the background of their recording sessions.
-Rachel Fredrickson
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