An Indie Act to Watch
Posted April 15, 2015
By JJFrancesco_NRT, Staff Reviewer
There has been a trio of similar-sounding names in the past few years of indie rock: Anberlin, Sumerlin, and Foreverlin. They are names that sound like part of a series, a sound that while not identical seems to draw definite influences from a similar sonic pool and an uncanny and non-typical approach to creating a rock record. Here we have the sophomore debut from the currently least-known member of the club, Foreverlin.
What Works:
Foreverlin's Still After blends a soft, ambient sound with more standard guitar-driven rock to produce an enticing and captivating indie-rock vibe. "Escape" is a highlight, and it would work well as a single. Encouraging a weary soul to persevere, the song carries one of the album's more emotive and memorable choruses, with "Don't let your failures lead your heart towards giving up" serving as of the album's standout lines.
"Worth Your Love" plays on similar themes in a ballad setting, but the track takes a first person point-of-view to the healing Christ's presence can bring to our lives. Again, the band stuns with some captivating musicianship that foregoes the flashy while still being full and intense. This is another single-worthy selection. "Sanguine" takes things out with a slow-building closer that moves to a rocking climax, refusing to let the album go out on a whimper.
What Doesn't:
There are a few too many interludes here, as they do not all feel completely necessary (piano-driven "Above" being a notable exception as it does succeed in ramping up excitement a bit at the start of the album). They often detract a bit from the fullness of the album. Some like "Alaska" even feel like they should have been full songs. On their own they aren't necessarily bad, but in the context of the album as a whole, they feel more like they pad out the tracklist rather than enhance the songs adjacent to them.
Closing Thoughts:
Foreverlin has put out a treat for indie rock fans, and this is definitely a highlight for the genre this year so far. Foreverlin's organic style feels intimate and fresh, and ample experimentation keeps the record from falling into predictable or standard trappings.
Still, there is a bit left wanting from the tracklist when all is said and done, and some of the songs feel like they could have and should have been a little more given the strength of what was presented. Foreverlin has all the great ingredients to make a landmark release with a little bit of stirring. Hopefully this album will put them one step closer.
Song to Download Now:
"Escape"
Stars: 3.5
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