Sullivan - Cover Your Eyes
Release Date: June 5, 2007
Record Label: Tooth & Nail
With their second album, Cover Your Eyes, Sullivan has altered their sound since their last release, 2006’s Hey, I’m A Ghost, which just left listeners wanting to cover up their ears. Ditching the tired post-hardcore rock sound that cluttered Ghost, Sullivan has added more of a pop-rock sensibility to Cover Your Eyes.
The first three tracks off the album immediately display the different route the band has taken. “F-Stop” reminds me a bit of Spitalfield, while “Goodbye Miss Havisham” has a lighthearted flair among it with a tinge of alternative rock in the bridge. “Tell Me I’m Wrong” is an attempt at power ballad, with quiet verses and a huge chorus. “Great Collection” is a hard-hitting, darker track full of aggressiveness, which gives us a nice change of pace from the previous tracks. “Dig Me Up” is one of the better tracks Sullivan has ever recorded, with an eerie intro as Brooks Paschal doesn’t over exert his voice and gently sings over it. The chorus is like a crashing wave, and works great as the midway point in the album.
Throughout the album you can hear what kind of pop rock bands influenced Sullivan, one of the biggest ones being Weezer. “Israel Hands” definitely brings that influence out, as the breezy intro and guitar riff in the chorus is very reminiscent to some of Weezer’s earlier work. “Fire Away” concludes the album with a rapidly played piano combined with the big-sounding guitar work giving the song a Something Corporate feel.
While some tracks are little too poppy/cheesy for my taste (“The Process” and “Olive Branch”), Cover Your Eyes is a solid album and huge improvement over the debut album. While the album offers nothing new, it’s always refreshing to hear a band improve. While the vocals are still an issue for the band, they have somewhat improved and are more tolerable. Drawing influence and inspiration from the aforementioned pop-rock bands in this review, Sullivan has found their sound, as the pop-rock mold fits them better. Hopefully, they’ll continue to improve and refine this sound, but for those who were disappointed in the debut or like Tooth & Nail’s brand of pop-rock, you should definitely check out this album.
I really feel like the difference in the vocals from the last CD to this one is like night and day. With this release, the band has gone from one that I routinely made fun of to one that I routinely listen to.
It's a really good release.
The difference is in Wisner's production. He deserves a little more credit than you give him.
I really feel like the difference in the vocals from the last CD to this one is like night and day. With this release, the band has gone from one that I routinely made fun of to one that I routinely listen to.
It's a really good release.
The difference is in Wisner's production. He deserves a little more credit than you give him.
I agree on the vocals. I feel like their singer learned how to use his pretty unique voice a lot better and didn't go directly for those high, frilly vocals. Good touch, I think.
“Dig Me Up” is one of the better tracks Sullivan has ever recorded, with an eerie intro as Brooks Paschal doesn’t over exert his voice and gently sings over it. The chorus is like a crashing wave, and works great as the midway point in the album.
I absolutely love that song and couldn't agree more with that description. Solid review.
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