Gabe Gross
09/25/06, 01:30 AM
Action Reaction – 3 Is The Magic Number
Release Date: August 22, 2006
Record Label: Hope Division/Equal Vision
In this reviewer’s humble opinion, Jason Gleason could be easily considered indie’s best vocalist. With his tickling the ears of hardcore and alternative fans (as lead vocalists for Affinity and Further Seems Forever’s How To Start A Fire) Gleason sits at the head of this new project to head in a completely different direction. Rounded off by his wife Bella and ex-Element 101 member Sal Ciaravino, the trio do not bring so much of a fresh sound but an amalgamation of sounds from genres, regions and generations that ultimately results in epic poetry wrapped in ambient rock and roll reverbs.
If you were lucky enough to notice the band before they were picked up on Equal Vision and got one of their two demo EPs pressed, you will recognize six of the tracks peppered in between five brand new songs. Despite new or old songs, the album dips into a variety of genres—90s pop rock, electronica, classic rock and modern indie styles.
“Sinner’s Algebra” starts the album off. Most likely Action Reaction’s most radio-friendly track and appropriate to begin the album with a memorable chorus—in and throughout the entire song melody flows with catchiness as an average alt-rock intro. Progression takes places with the following song. “Can You Hear The Sun?”. It’s another alt-rock track with two levels of environment—psychedelic and southern classic rock. Halfway though is this reviewer’s favorite track “Come See My Grave.” As it’s been seen on the other EPs, it continues its resilience on 3 Is The Magic Number. I’m won over by the tempo range, playful ending and poetical thesis (“I would like to recognize my friends by which way they walk and not how far they run away”).? “With My Voice” begins softly with Gleason’s low-end range but picks up quickly and fiishes as their most fun and electric pop song yet. Listeners end up with a conservative mix of songs that will not bore but also don’t monopolize on catchy hooks and pop melodies.
Basically Action Reaction is a teenager stuck at the kids table at a Thanksgiving dinner. They’re too indie for the alternative scene and too alternative for the indie scene. Awkwardly set between those two spectrums still allows the three to make an album that most musicians can't make on their fifth major label release. Jason’s vocals will keep old fans close while new fans will be intrigued to dive into this new sound deeper.
Want more?: “21 Gun Salute”, “Contagious”, “Spark The Sun”
Release Date: August 22, 2006
Record Label: Hope Division/Equal Vision
In this reviewer’s humble opinion, Jason Gleason could be easily considered indie’s best vocalist. With his tickling the ears of hardcore and alternative fans (as lead vocalists for Affinity and Further Seems Forever’s How To Start A Fire) Gleason sits at the head of this new project to head in a completely different direction. Rounded off by his wife Bella and ex-Element 101 member Sal Ciaravino, the trio do not bring so much of a fresh sound but an amalgamation of sounds from genres, regions and generations that ultimately results in epic poetry wrapped in ambient rock and roll reverbs.
If you were lucky enough to notice the band before they were picked up on Equal Vision and got one of their two demo EPs pressed, you will recognize six of the tracks peppered in between five brand new songs. Despite new or old songs, the album dips into a variety of genres—90s pop rock, electronica, classic rock and modern indie styles.
“Sinner’s Algebra” starts the album off. Most likely Action Reaction’s most radio-friendly track and appropriate to begin the album with a memorable chorus—in and throughout the entire song melody flows with catchiness as an average alt-rock intro. Progression takes places with the following song. “Can You Hear The Sun?”. It’s another alt-rock track with two levels of environment—psychedelic and southern classic rock. Halfway though is this reviewer’s favorite track “Come See My Grave.” As it’s been seen on the other EPs, it continues its resilience on 3 Is The Magic Number. I’m won over by the tempo range, playful ending and poetical thesis (“I would like to recognize my friends by which way they walk and not how far they run away”).? “With My Voice” begins softly with Gleason’s low-end range but picks up quickly and fiishes as their most fun and electric pop song yet. Listeners end up with a conservative mix of songs that will not bore but also don’t monopolize on catchy hooks and pop melodies.
Basically Action Reaction is a teenager stuck at the kids table at a Thanksgiving dinner. They’re too indie for the alternative scene and too alternative for the indie scene. Awkwardly set between those two spectrums still allows the three to make an album that most musicians can't make on their fifth major label release. Jason’s vocals will keep old fans close while new fans will be intrigued to dive into this new sound deeper.
Want more?: “21 Gun Salute”, “Contagious”, “Spark The Sun”