REVIEW: Thoroughfare - As Yet Unborn

Thoroughfare – As Yet Unborn
2007 Rockpie Records

Thoroughfare is a young and uber-talented rock band from Knoxville, TN. Their full-length debut, As Yet Unborn, is a sonic treat. Featuring rocking tunes and soaring anthems, they seem a perfect fit for Adult Alternative, pop-rock, and even “edge” radio formats. As Yet Unborn is one of the more commercial Indie projects to come across my desk this year, and has great potential for success.

It is very clear that Thoroughfare knows how to rock. They serve notice on the opening track, Is It Right, which opens with Van Halen-esque keyboard riff and vocals that resolves into a moderate rocker. This song is radio-ready eleven times over and just needs placement in a prime-time TV show to be a monster hit (as that seems to be how these things work nowadays). Other highlights include The Value, Let It Out, Reverie, and Why Don’t You. The production values are high and musicianship is superbly tight.

If there is any complaint about this release at all, it’s that the production values are so high. As Yet Unborn is extremely well-produced, but it makes me wonder if those production values don’t in some way mute the sound and energy of the songs. Thoroughfare strikes me as a band that might set the stage on fire in their live shows, and that just doesn’t quite come across here. Still, As Yet Unborn is an outstanding record that should be the beginning of a long and successful career for Thoroughfare. Well done.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out Of 5)

You can learn more about Thoroughfare at www.thoroughfareband.com, where you can purchase a copy of As Yet Unborn. You should also check out their My Space Page.