Media Review

Sherwood

A Different Light (CD)

Myspace Records
website | mySpace | pureVolume

Overall Rating:

6.5

Music Quality: 7.0

Production: 7.5

Originality: 6.0

Sherwood’s fourth and most poppy release yet may be just what kids eagerly awaiting summertime need, however, it is sure to let down old time fans that were hoping for something a bit more mature. Many elements that made all their other endeavors successes are incorporated into “A Different Light”. Things like their knack for perfect hooks, beautiful vocals and simplistic yet well thought-out lyrics are certainly present, but these talents are not as prominent this time and are exploited to the brink of the nearly irritating a couple of times.

“Song in My Head” introduces the album and does a marvelous job of wetting the listener’s lips and setting anticipation for what is to come. The next track is a complete let-down though, it is an over-produced pop fiasco. With an irksome melody and predictable and boring song structure, it fails to live up to expectations set by the previous track. The whole album is patched with great pop songs and poor ones. Compared to Sherwood’s last full length, “Sing, But Keep Going”, it seems like they didn’t even try. Their last album was just so lively, sincere and amazingly solid that it is hard to believe this is the same band.

Their brightest moments come with the smile-inducing “For the Longest Time” that catches the listener with the best chorus on the album and the song “Alley Cat” that is undeniably reminiscent of Postal Service. Though “Alley Cat” may be the most toned down song on the album, it is the most creative and Sherwood’s confidence in vocal melodies is at its peak. “The Simple Life” has the same effect, the heavy reliance and flawless execution of vocal harmonization in both songs is what has separated Sherwood from other pop bands from the beginning.

All in all, half the album is amazing and half is less than impressive. What causes such a split in sound is the songs that were found on “The Summer EP” that are now redone for “A Different Light”, there is not a single one that sounds better than it did in the original versions. They are now all too busy and full of nifty production tricks that take away from the soul heard in the originals, though “I’m Asking Her to Stay” is rather charming in its new version. Just don’t sell yourself short; the great songs on this album definitely make “A Different Light” worth a spin and open mind.

Recommended Tracks: "Song In My Head", "For The Longest Time", "Alley Cat", "A Different Light"

reviewed by Kevin Condon