The 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 three new members and then took nearly two years to craft Coming to Life, a decidedly darker, more atmospheric composition that bore a strikingly small resemblance to the first release.
Unlike its two predecessors, the underlying temperament of A Place Where You Belong is not quite as easy to pin down. "Brittle Bone," a captivating treatise on intimacy with God, lays its stark, longing lyrics atop a delicate backdrop that is equal parts classical music and folk-pop. The understated jazz-funk bassline on the ironically-titled "Happiness" lends the song an enthralling sense of lonely detachment. And the thought-provoking honesty of "We Go On" (Every guy's just trying to find respect/ In the eyes of a girl/ Who just wants to be loved) is framed by the adult alternative pop textures that populated the bulk of Coming to Life. Despite its significant somber thread, though, much of the new record wears a far less solemn disposition. The appropriately-named "Radio" is a loping tribute to love and the open road whose catchy electronic percussion and enthusiastic vocalizing make it a shoo-in for extended road trips. Likewise, "Less Than Love" (Almost every girl I've ever kissed is married/ And that's not a lot of weddings) works as a sort of polar opposite to songs like "We Go On" by virtue of its sprightly Beatlesque accompaniment and Osenga's witty, self-deprecating sense of humor.
Although Belong might very well be considered a hybrid of the shining pop sensibility of the first album and the heightened ambience and lyrical insight of the follow-up, it nonetheless winds up besting both releases. While the compositions on Belong are probably about toe-to-toe, in terms of catchiness, with those of the debut, their subtle construction and multi-layered musical approach makes them a more fully fleshed out set of songs. In the same way, by opting for a more pop-driven approach for the third album, the sometimes overreaching character of the previously-superior second effort is effectively reined in without sacrificing any of its uniqueness. Musical kudos aside, though, it is arguably the lyrics that set Belong out front of its forerunners. For their latest outing, Osenga and his cohorts have managed the rare feat of grasping the essence of the believer's age-old quandary - far enough removed from the world to afford objective comment; near enough to be enticed by its pull - and translating it into word pictures that are both graceful and piercing; wholly original and yet, at the same time, utterly familiar. For Normal, Illinois' favorite musical sons, the third time is, indeed, the charm.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
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 Josh McConnellAfter 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…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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