Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 9.0
Production: 9.0
Originality: 8.0
Tracklisting
2. Stay Away
3. Untouched And Intact
4. Stuck At Sea
5. Far More
6. Radiate
7. Along The Way
8. Apologize
9. the City's Summer
10. Only One Week
11. Wait Until I'm Gone
12. Even If
The more the merrier? In the case of The Honorary Title this idiom proves true. With the addition of new members, Jonathan Wiley (guitar) and Adam Boyd (drums), The Honorary Title has evolved its sound from an acoustic duo into a full rock band.
“Scream and Light Up The Sky” still showcases all the strengths of previous releases and the talent of original members Jarrod Gorbel (lead vocals/guitarist) and Aaron Kamstra (bass/keyboards/vocals) however, it also incorporates bolder and fuller textures. The transition is accomplished seamlessly; actually, The Honorary Title makes it look easy.
Without stripping emotional content or the intimate sound of “Anything Else But The Truth” THT is able to interrogate pop flavors to create an album capable of reaching a broader audience while (hopefully) not ostracizing pre-existing fans. Don’t worry! The band stays true to their indie rock roots, however “Scream and Light Up The Sky” also offers a little more bang for your buck, incorporating classical rock, folk, and dare I say 80’s new wave reminiscent of Duran Duran. Whatever the concoction, it works and this album is a wonderful extension of The Honorary Title’s arsenal.
Lyrically, Gorbel is in top form. He continues to create gut wrenching, introspective and incredibly honest songs that only resonant more with every listen. Gorbel, appears to sing from some type of cavernous pit inside his being. His style of deep exhales as he delivers every syllable is fantastic. The solemn lullaby sound that is produced is soothing as it is heartbreaking. I like- yes I like very much.
This album continues to bloom for me. With every listen I find myself thinking “No, no, this is my favorite” which is a rare phenomenon. “Scream and Light Up The Sky” is more dynamic and daring than previous Honorary Title efforts. Therefore, if you found past THT releases to be a little flat I would not let that sway you from this CD. In fact, no matter your musical taste I’d say give this album a chance because, as the Honorary Title has shown us, change is good and this album is great.
Déjà vu who? – Rock Kills Kid’s “Are You Nervous”, The Format’s “Interventions & Lullabies”, The Killers’ “Sam’s Town”
Honor These! – “Stay Away”, “Apologize”, “Only One Week”, “Untouched And Intact”, “Stuck At Sea”, “Even If”, “Wait Until I’m Gone”, “ The City’s Summer”…