Review: The Twilight Hours - Stereo Night

The Twilight Hours - Stereo Night
2010, Triumphalops Music

Minneapolis, Minnesota's Matt Wilson and John Munson continue their on-again, off-again musical relationship under the moniker The Twilight Hours, releasing Stereo Night, their debut album (as The Twilight Hours) on an unsuspecting world. Starting out together in the 1980's in Trip Shakespeare, Wilson and Munson have also teamed up in Semisonic and The Flops over the years. This time out it's lush harmonies, strong lyrics and amazing musicianship that reign supreme. Wilson and Munson have always had a talent for creating vibrant and original music, but they've raised the bar with Stereo Night.

Stereo Night opens with Dreams, a mildly catchy Pop confection full of angst and hope. John Munson's voice is an intriguing one, imbuing a solid pop song with a sense of urgency that can't be easily explained but is palpable in the performance. Dreams is offered up in a wonderfully smooth arrangement that goes down easy without giving up any vibrancy. Yes keeps that same sense, making you want to hum/sing along and dance just a little bit. A strong melody and melodic arrangement mix perfectly in a song you'll be hitting repeat on over and over. The Twilight Hours slow things down a bit for Alone, a highly tuneful and emotionally dense tune that may either appeal or annoy depending upon your disposition to the song. The song does drag a bit on tempo, but it so sonically pretty you might overlook it.

My Return sticks to the same melodic sensibility that's driven Stereo Night thus far, but wraps it in a package that makes My Return the most likely single on the album. My Return isn't the sort of tune that is likely to become a major chart star, but more likely to hang around the lower end of the Top-40 long enough to become a regular contributor at Adult Contemporary radio. Winter Queen Of Tomorrow carries a hip-hop beat and talk/sing style reminiscent of Sublime; the song is highly danceable but retains the mellow vibe The Twilight Hours have so carefully crafted throughout Stereo Night. Goodbye Good Life is the highlight of the album, with a melody that simply won't leave you alone. Vocalist John Munson tries the upper limits of his range with ease, creating a simultaneously Poppy and haunting feel that's as enjoyable as it is disturbing. Stereo Night winds down with Never Mine To Lose, sticking with the same mellow, melodic sensibility that's carried them thus far and adding some near-Beach Boys style harmonies in the process.

The Twilight Hours is a band you're either going to get or not. There won't be many middle-of-the-road listeners here. The melodic sensibility of the band and their ability to marry gorgeous melodies to full, rich arrangements will appeal to many. And in spite of the mellow feel of the music, The Twilight Hours does not lack for energy or passion on Stereo Night. This may not be the album that breaks The Twilight Hours into the big time, but they're definitely on to something. Stereo Night is a sonic treat worth savoring.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Twilight Hours at http://www.thetwilighthours.com/ or www.myspace.com/twilighthours. You can purchase Stereo Night as either a CD or Download from Amazon.com.

Review: Honor By August - Found

Honor By August - Found
2009, Honor By August

Based out of Washington, D.C., Honor By August has culled a reputation as one of the last bastions of mainstream Rock N Roll. In a day and age when most bands are looking to enhance their genre hyphenation by incorporating disparate sounds into songs, Honor By August offers a refreshingly classic pop/rock sound based on melody, harmony and great hooks. These efforts have already garnered Honor By August significant attention, winning the Billboard World Song Contest, gaining exposure on ESPN and sharing the stage with artists such as Bon Jovi, Hootie & The Blowfish, Edwin McCain, Peter Frampton and Third Eye Blind. Honor By August's sophomore album, Found hits the streets today. Honor By August might really be the next big thing.

There's a certain knack to songwriting in an ensemble; some groups never have it, some develop it over time, and some just click. Honor By August seems to have a magical connection wrapped up in their creative process that turns hooks into phrases, phrases into songs and songs into gold. Similar to bands like Matchbox 20, Semisonic, Hootie & The Blowfish and Third Eye Blind, there is a distinct pop sense that runs through everything they touch. Listen to the soaring choruses, bright melodies, gorgeous harmonies, intelligent and heartfelt lyrics, or any other quality you want to choose and there's a bit of magic there. Opening with the title track, Found is pure pop rock right from the start. Even amid the high quality songwriting and performances on Found there are distinct high points. Johnny (Pass Me Another) explores barstool camaraderie in an intelligent and emotional story song that is miles above the usual pop fodder. There You Were is the sort of love song that melts hearts. It's not a sappy ballad, but a mid-tempo Pop/Rock tune with a soaring chorus that is bound to be on most every mix tape made in 2009.

Say That It's Over is a catchy plea to put an end to war, complete with a chorus reminiscent of Toad The Wet Sprocket on steroids. Hometown Heroes takes the pop sensibility to a new level on a song that will be new to listeners but is instantly recognizable nonetheless. It details one of the dreams of any performer: coming home a star. Awake & Alive, the closer, is a poignant and quiet moment of reflection on origins and identity before Honor By August says goodnight. Other highlights include Half A Day Away, See This Through and Love Lies Awake.

Honor By August has a distinct polish to them that belies their Indy status. Found is the sort of album that makes major labels come calling. With the right exposure and a lucky break or two Honor By August could be one of the most popular bands of 2009. Found leaves me very excited for the future of Honor By August, and wanting to track down their first release. Don't pass this one by.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Honor By August at www.myspace.com/honorbyaugust or http://www.honorbyaugust.com/. You can purchase Found at www.cdbaby.com/cd/honorbyaugust2.