My first impression from listening to the first few songs, is a strong influence of Achtung Baby-era U2. I'm also sensing Radiohead, post-Violator Depeche Mode, and Catherine Wheel. Even the pictures of the band on the back cover behind the CD, and the lists of causes the band encourages you to support reminds me of U2 in 1991. The album was produced by Mr Nashville-Punk-Rock himself, Kevin Clay.
Though the album sounds good, I had a hard time picking any stand out tracks. "You Teach Me the Fine Art of Dying" sticks out because the song in driven by a string section, and "Dawn," a piano ballad, is somewhat memorable, with an ambient soundscape background and sound clips of a preacher. The best way to describe this album is to compare it to a baby eagle. It is a magnificent creature, on the verge of soaring, but just can't seem to be able to fly. With a little bit of time, this cute little creature will become a feared predator, dive bombing small helpless animals and eating them for dinner. The eagle will get amazing album reviews from then on, because people like to see blood, and because the critics will be afraid of being dive bombed and eaten by a bunch of crazy guys from Nashville.
