Alternate Routes – Good And Reckless And True
The debut from this rootsy power-pop trio out of Connecticut is one of those rare records that captivates from start to finish. The opening track, “Ordinary”, is a reflective, atmospheric pop gem that showcases singer Tim Warren’s stirring, full-throttle voice and his knack for crafting easily remembered, ear-pleasing choruses with co-writer/lead guitarist Eric Donnelly. “Time Is A Runaway” and “Endless Conversation” both feature an infectious Beatlesque groove and lush harmonies, while “Are You Lonely?” is a sizzling U2-ish rocker marked by Donnelly’s blistering slide work and Chip Johnson’s driving bass. A great example of the band’s keen sense of orchestral dynamics is the closer, “Please Don’t Let It Be”, which starts out as a soft, Americana-tinged ballad that subsequently builds in intensity until it ends in a searing crescendo of feedback-drenched crunch.