Customer Reviews

Cold in California

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a huge fan of Ingram Hill since I first heard them in concert over 3 years ago, and I was completely pumped to see that they were finally releasing their new album. I adored "June's Picture Show" and I was anticipating more of the same with hopefully a new spin on it. So yeah, the c.d. is pretty good, but not quite what I was hoping for. It IS more of the same, but without a new spin. They sound exactly as they did on "June's Picture Show" except I am not finding the tunes to be as addicting/catchy. Until I had listened to the c.d. a few times through, it was pretty hard to distinguish between all of the songs because the style is all very similar. I would have liked to hear another slow song or two as well. Also, don't expect to be blown away by deep lyrics. "Million Miles Away" is almost a painful listen due to its repetitive, shallow lyrics. I am enjoying the c.d., don't get me wrong, but I was hoping that the boys would rise more to the occasion with this sophomore album. It's worth buying if you liked "June's Picture Show" at all, but don't expect to be blown away.

With 2004's June's Picture Show, Ingram Hill broke onto the scene with a melodic sound that quickly broke through to radio, spawning hits with "Will I Ever Make It Home" and "Almost Perfect." Three years later, the trio returns with Cold in California, an eleven track mix of alt. rock and pop with a slight dash of country thrown in for good measure.

Similar to their debut release, the majority of Cold In California consists of uptempo catchy tunes. First single "Why Don't You" is arguably the most rocking song on the album, with searing guitar riffs and strong vocals from lead singer Justin Moore. Other solid uptempo tracks include "Four Letter Word," "She Wants to Be Alone," and "Something to Cry To." For those familiar with June's Picture Show, the "Maybe It's Me" of this album is the beautifully written ballad "What You Want." The song relies on emotional lyrics that anyone who has loved and lost can relate to...

"It just took a minute to fall, the heart wasn't breaking at all,
And you said to me, you were right where you wanted to be.
Just when I thought we were fine, well I seem to say, you're not mine,
You tell me to call, pick up and say nothing at all, at all."

With Cold in California, Ingram Hill has taken another step in its maturation process and is becoming more and more deserving of the mainstream success that it has flirted with in the past. Cold In California may not be the album to completely break down the wall to stardom, but at the very least, it has provided another heavy push.

Lots of good stuff comes out of Memphis, TN. BB King, Elvis and good barbeque are my top three favorites from that sultry city by the mighty Mississippi. Another good thing to add to that list is Ingram Hill.

Their sound is a fusion of what makes Memphis good: rock, country, and blues. They're not as rugged or redneck as either Elvis or BB King, a much smoother sound, which will appeal to a wider range of fans. I particularly like their instrumentation, which is solid teamwork.

Favorite songs: "Four Letter Word", "I Hear Goodnight," and "Cold In California."

Ingram Hill is well worth a listen if you like enjoy eclectic music. They're a smoother Southern sound than is touted from Memphis, but there's definitely nothing wrong with that!

Rebecca Kyle, June 2008

Cold In California and June's Picture Show are two of the best CDs to come from the South in a long, long time. Very original artists that are as true on stage as they are on disc. I have to agree with the other reviewer, Suspicious Minds by IH is one of the finest renditions of that great song ever heard. Hopefully it will make it onto their next CD. If you get a chance, go see them in person. To me, the experience IS PERFECT!

So I've been an Ingram Hill fan for many years after first hearing "Will I Ever Make it Home" and "Waste It All On You." I own June's Picture show, Why the Wait EP, and Cold in California. Any one of these cds is great to pick up and listen to no matter what your mood. Great driving/studying/party music. A majority of the songs on this album will stick with you and I would reccomend this to any alternative/rock/pop fan. Lastly, this band is great live so if you ever get a chance...

I love Ingram hill to pieces and have been a fan of the band since before they got signed to a major label. Their independantly released first record was amazing. Their major label debut 'junes picture show' was brillant. However this new record 'Cold in California' just doesnt do it for me like the previous ones and cant really compare either. There is just something missing on this record. Now don't get me wrong this record definatly has some real awesome gems but there are some what I call filler songs or skip and go to next songs as well. Perhaps this is cause of the troubles of one member exiting the band and trying to finish the record as a trio I dunno. I think lyrically the band has improved and somewhat vocally as well. Musically the style has changed some and I think this is a slight minus for me. All the songs just don't grab you, draw you in and you instantly fall in love with each song off the record like the previous records. It may be my taste in music has changed a lil that I don't love this record the same as the previous. But one thing remains I still love this band just as much as I did before they got signed and I def. look forward to hearing more from them and seeing them live now that they are signed. Will long time IH fans love this record? I think most will yes. Will the fans since 'June's Picture Show' like the record? I think not as much as the longtime fans but will still like the record and buy it. I still recommend this CD to anyone whose a fan of the band and who is a lover of all kinds of music.

I wouldn't say I'm a HUGE Ingram Hill fan. I've seen them in concert once and my only other experience with them is their last album, "June's Picture Show". To me, they're in the same category as Sister Hazel in that they make good, solid, guitar-driven rock/pop music that not many people seem to know about. June's Picture Show, to me, was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did, but those songs really grabbed me when I got that album. There were a few on that cd that I thought were outstanding (Chicago, The Captain, Maybe It's Me), but it was the consistency of the other songs that made me continue to listen to that cd over and over. I saw huge potential in Ingram Hill (and still do), but it is a potential that I still don't think they've lived up to with this latest offering.

"Cold in California" is very good. I think they've done a better job in terms of making a cohesive album than they did with June's Picture Show, but with the exception of "Four Letter Word", none of these songs are as GREAT as they could/should have been. Maybe it's the "forced" feeling of "Impossible" that didn't sit well with me, or maybe it's the fact that it took me several listens before I really started differentiating between some of the songs. For whatever reason, I wasn't blown away...and I thought I would be. I will say, however, that this album gets progressively better with each listen, which is something that I am enjoying. There are definitely more "layers" to this music than there appear to be at first glance.

Ingram Hill seems to be a band struggling to find its identity. Are they rockers, balladeers, alt-country, or power pop? I personally don't mind taking the journey with them until they figure it out because they're putting out some really good music along the way; but I just can't help but feel that this band is capable of so much more. The lead singer has improved by leaps and bounds since JPS, but there is still so much more he could do with his voice. Some of the melodies just seem a little lazy. He shows snapshots of being able to sing intricate, memorable melodies, but then it disappears into a "stock" chorus or bridge that isn't all that interesting.

The music on Cold in California is superb, though. I find myself listening to the guitar work or the bass & drums more than I did with JPS. I think they will continue to tour and hone their craft as a band and, with a little luck, they'll make enough money to continue making great music. I think we'll see more from Ingram Hill and I think it will only get better!

I have been an Ingram Hill fan for seven years now. I first saw them in 2001 at a college show in Cookeville, Tennessee. Their rousing rendition of Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" is a memory I won't soon forget. I'm so excited to hear their new music. It's been a really longtime coming.

Ingram Hill really has a wonderful, unique sound. It's hard to classify, but to me, it's a harmonious blend of country, rock, and blues that's very indicative of their Memphis roots. They can't be compared to Elvis, Lynard Skynard, or anyone else. It's refreshing, and it doesn't get lost in poor grammar or redneck stereotypes.

My favorite songs are "Impossible", "Cold In California,", and "I Hear Goodnight". If you love good music, buy Cold In California, Why the Wait, and June's Picture Show. You won't regret it!

I have Ingram Hills prior CD and I love it. This one is great too! This is a go to for me!

Good CD. Not as "catchy" as their last one though. Not as many harmonies and song-choruses that stick in your head but still fun and a must-have for fans of Ingram Hill. Couldn't give it 5-stars since I like the last CD a little better...and had a little more fun with it. Still, this is a fun CD.