Klatzke
01/20/09, 01:36 PM
Honor Bright - Build Hearts From Stars
Release Date: December 2008
Record Label: Aux Records
Honor Bright originally released Build Hearts From Stars in 2007 by themselves. However, as a treat to fans, they decided to re-release the EP in December 2008 through Aux Records. It's the same album, they've just tacked on two extra acoustic tracks.
Build Hearts From Stars is a fairly solid album. Most of the tracks follow the fairly standard pop-rock approach, and for the most part, if you like one, you're likely to find most of them entertaining. The one thing that seems to be holding their sound back is the vocalist. You can tell he's trying, and there are plenty of places where he's fine, but overall he isn't one of the stronger vocalists I've heard. In fact, I've actually come to enjoy what seems to be the backup vocals more, and they're noticeable in a few places throughout the album.
The songs are catchy and entertaining, and though the vocals may be a bit lacking, the musicians seem to be trying hard to make up for it. Most of the tracks don't follow the same pop chord progressions I've come to expect and they keep the tempo up most of the time. They haven't included one of those sappy, slow love jams that find their way into every pop rock album coming out of Fueled By Ramen, and have instead included 10 tracks full of pop appeal.
I do have to mention what is quite possibly my favorite acoustic piece from any band in this genre. "I Gave You My Heart, You Gave Me A Pacemaker" is the first of the acoustic bonus tracks, and it doesn't disappoint. The vocal displays from both the backup vocalist and the main vocalist are quite possibly the best from the album, and they really makes this track shine.
For the most part, Build Hearts From Stars is a solid album. While Honor Bright do have a few things they could improve upon, they're a young band and this was their first release. The addition of the acoustic tracks hasn't changed the album drastically, but they're probably my two favorite tracks from the whole thing. Honor Bright is a band that has potential, and they displayed that well on Build Hearts From Stars, as well as their latest EP. If you're looking for a breather from the synth-happy pop trend that's becoming pretty standard, this is definitely worth your time.
Hit the Lights; Just Surrender; Hush Hush Commotion
myspace.com/honorbright
Release Date: December 2008
Record Label: Aux Records
Honor Bright originally released Build Hearts From Stars in 2007 by themselves. However, as a treat to fans, they decided to re-release the EP in December 2008 through Aux Records. It's the same album, they've just tacked on two extra acoustic tracks.
Build Hearts From Stars is a fairly solid album. Most of the tracks follow the fairly standard pop-rock approach, and for the most part, if you like one, you're likely to find most of them entertaining. The one thing that seems to be holding their sound back is the vocalist. You can tell he's trying, and there are plenty of places where he's fine, but overall he isn't one of the stronger vocalists I've heard. In fact, I've actually come to enjoy what seems to be the backup vocals more, and they're noticeable in a few places throughout the album.
The songs are catchy and entertaining, and though the vocals may be a bit lacking, the musicians seem to be trying hard to make up for it. Most of the tracks don't follow the same pop chord progressions I've come to expect and they keep the tempo up most of the time. They haven't included one of those sappy, slow love jams that find their way into every pop rock album coming out of Fueled By Ramen, and have instead included 10 tracks full of pop appeal.
I do have to mention what is quite possibly my favorite acoustic piece from any band in this genre. "I Gave You My Heart, You Gave Me A Pacemaker" is the first of the acoustic bonus tracks, and it doesn't disappoint. The vocal displays from both the backup vocalist and the main vocalist are quite possibly the best from the album, and they really makes this track shine.
For the most part, Build Hearts From Stars is a solid album. While Honor Bright do have a few things they could improve upon, they're a young band and this was their first release. The addition of the acoustic tracks hasn't changed the album drastically, but they're probably my two favorite tracks from the whole thing. Honor Bright is a band that has potential, and they displayed that well on Build Hearts From Stars, as well as their latest EP. If you're looking for a breather from the synth-happy pop trend that's becoming pretty standard, this is definitely worth your time.
Hit the Lights; Just Surrender; Hush Hush Commotion
myspace.com/honorbright