After releasing their first album in 1998, then their second in 2000, The Normals are back again with their latest release; A Place Where You Belong. But is it as good as their past albums?
Consisting of eleven tracks, this soft/pop rock album was a definite surprise to me, I was expecting an album with a little more of a rock edge to it. I heard some clips of it on the Internet, and it sounded like a great album, but then I pop the album in my CD player and it sounds really different. My guess is the website had the clips linked to another CD's clips. But nonetheless, this is an interesting album.
After listening to clips of their other two albums, it seems that The Normals have slowed down their sound quite a bit with this release. So if you are looking for the same rock sound that they have done on their first two releases, don't! Or you'll end up surprised and disappointed like I was! Even though they have a little more upbeat songs like "Radio" and "Innocence", the album mostly consists of ballads, which to some people may be a good thing. But honestly, if I expect an album to have more of a rock sound, then I like to have either the same amount of rock songs and ballads on an album, more rock songs than there are ballads, or no ballads at all.
Overall, this album is done very well musically and lyrically, but it is not what I expected at all, and because of that I didn't like the album as much. I definitely enjoy their first two albums more than I have this one. But if you are a big fan of The Normals and wouldn't mind their new sound, or if you like soft/pop rock then pick this album up, you will most likely enjoy it. But for everyone else, I suggest you listen to clips on the Internet, or demo it at your local Christian Bookstore before you pick it up.
2.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglThe career of Illinois' the Normals, up to this point, has been something of a study in contrasts. The power trio's 1998 debut, Better Than This, was an effort populated, for the most part, by catchy, straight-ahead pop/rock songs bearing a slight alternative rock inflection. Following the departure of bassist Clayton Daily, guitarist Mark Lockett and songwriter/vocalist Andy Osenga recruited…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Jessica HeikoopTheir past two albums got them two Dove Award nominations and a #1 radio hit. Now The Normals are back with their third release, A Place Where You Belong, and, in my opinion, this deserves just as much--if not more--recognition. Taking it down a few notches, A Place Where You Belong takes on a slow, more peaceful sound. Using basic instruments for a majority of the songs (acoustic guitars, piano,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Matt WilliamsA concept album rarely produces a consistent theme (see Third Day's Come Together), and even rarer yet, does the effort result in great music. Quite often, the effort seems to bombard the listener with a "think about this" mentality and becomes overbearing in its approach. However, the Illinois-based Normals have put together one of the more impressive albums of the new year with their third…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Brian A. SmithThe Normals are a difficult band to classify. Their debut album, Better Than This, was somewhat in the PFR vein, employing singalong pop/alternative rock songs. Coming to Life, on the other hand, had more of a brooding tone that was quite a contrast from its predecessor. A Place Where You Belong seems to be a mixture of these two styles. "Radio" is a fun song about love and driving down the road…The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by David MartinAre you one of those melancholy, hopeless romantic types who gets homesick easily? Well, come on in and pull up a chair. The Normals would like to welcome you into their humble abode. Okay, well, it's not really their home, but the blue house that graces the cover of the low-key Christian rock band's latest album, A Place Where You Belong, must have been a cozy place in which to record a batch of…Similar sounding releases
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