Customer Reviews

Composure

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I admit that I bought this album because I was intrigued with the name of the group. Well, sometimes you get lucky. I listened to this CD and was blown away! I was captured right from the start when the first piano chords on "Shades of Grey" created a desolate feeling, building up to a dynamic crescendo of minor seventh chords and harmonies that would blow the socks off of anything that the "so called BOY GROUPS" of the late nineties could ever perform. The song winds back down and ends with the same hopeless feeling that it began with. From there, you are taken to an upbeat POP-Rock song that once again features a driving piano and second to none harmonies. The third song which is one of the catchiest tunes, "Rumors", follows the same formula with swelling harmonies and powerful piano chords mixing in with guitar. My three teenage kids, chose this song to be their favorite song on the CD. I won't go on about each and every song, but there are several other songs that I could listen to a thousand times and never get tired of. If you like MAE, THIS DAY AND AGE, or SOMETHING CORPORATE, you should fall in love with the sound of this CD. I guess Piano-driven, Power POP, with rich harmonies would be the best way to describe this disc. I'm amazed that Waking Ashland hasn't received more attention. I noticed one reviewer that really hammered the lyrics in this CD, well, Being a musician, I'm not one to pay close attention to what is being said. I mainly listen to sound quality and instrumentation. I guess it boils down to everyones' different tastes. As far as great sound and catchy pop melodies, there are very few other groups that capture the full sound of Waking Ashland! I heavily recommend this disc!!

Waking Ashland's debut album is proof. Proof that you don't need to be virtuosos to make great music. Proof that simple chord progressions and the classic verse-chorus-bridge-chorus structure is effective when done well. Proof that you don't need layers upon layers of synthetic overproduction for something to sound good.

Unlike other bands that simply throw in classical instruments to make it sound 'artistic' or 'classical' or whatever, Waking Ashland is centered around the piano, with the others built around it. The result is solid, controlled, chord-based songs, and layered on top of that is some great singing and vocal harmonies, with guitar, bass and drums filling out the sound.

Whether it's the energetic songs such as "I Am For You", "Overjoyed" and "Longshot", the more laid back "Same Problem" or "October Skies", or the ballads "Hands on Deck" and "Sing Me To Sleep", you are guaranteed music that is well-crafted, catchy and honest.

I agree with Brendan Trimboli, for fans of Mae, This Day & Age, and other light rock bands, Waking Ashland is a perfect fit. Or for anyone looking for some relief from their diet of emocore/pop-punk/post-hardcore bands (as I am), Waking Ashland is a welcome contrast.

this is a great cd by waking ashland. i didnt even know who they where until i looked at purevolume.com

1-Shades of Grey- 4/5 good opener Good song. pretty slow, good vocals
2-i am for you- 5/5 great song. great intro, good guitar playing, great vocals
3-rumors-5/5 third best song on the cd great piano playing, vocals great
4-edinger-5/5 second best song on the cd. if they have a single ever this will be the song
5-october skies 5/5 best song on the cd, again great piano playing, great guitar, amazing vocals
6-Let go- 4.5/5 overall good song. catchy tune
7-Hands on deck- 5/5 great vocals, great piano playing
8-long shot-5/5 great guitar playing, great vocals
9-silhouettes-5/5 catchy tune, great vocals and words
10-same problem-5/5 great song, slow intro catchy song
11-medication- 4/5 probably the worse song on the cd. its not even that bad just didnt get into this one
12-overjoyed- 4.5/5 slow intro, great vocals
13-sing me to sleep-5/5 great piano playing. great ending to an amazing cd

i can't believe no one has heard of these guys.

I had never heard of this group into last summer, when they happened to play a show I was at. After their set the band members all came into the crowd and watched the rest of the bands perform. It was amazing in general to see how they acted just like regular fans, but most importantly, they are the nicest people i've ever met. One of my friend's wanted to take a picture with Jonathon, so i asked him and he agreed, and we got into small talk. At the end of the night i was so impressed by him that i purchased This Album at the merch table, where he saw me and had the guys sign it.

I am a fan because of their character... but the cd was instantly one of my favorite of all time.. it is truely priceless

Just playing SPOCKS BEARD "Snow". Today is my music day, the day I go through all my 1000's of CD and albums and play ones I haven't listened to in 20-30 years..you get the picture. I like good music..and I could name drop hundreds of groups that you've never "heard" about but are still good bands.(I HATE KIDS WHO DO THAT!) Anyway..My youngest daughter shared this with me a couple of months ago. I REALLY enjoy it. Is it Sgt. Peppers? No. Is it as ground breaking as "Love" was in the 60's? No. Is it GOOD music? 100% yes. A very tight band, great vocals with nice guitar. There is not one song I don't like..which is VERY unusal these days. If "Shades of Grey" was performed by Coldplay..it would have been top 10 material. Ok. I like these guys better than Mae..about the same as DC Talk..(Supernatural) better than all the boy bands. Do yourself a favor..buy this. It's 10 bucks and I promise you'll like at least SOME of the songs. Never stop listening to the music.

I've been a fan of Waking Ashland since I first saw them perform at the 2004 Warped Tour. I love the energy and passion they put into all their lives shows. They are definitely one of the few bands out there that sound just as good (or maybe better) live as they do in the studio. I've had this album for about a year now, and it still remains one of my favorites. It's one of those albums you never grow tired of and can listen to from beginning to end. From the beautiful ballads ("Hands On Deck" and "Shades of Grey") to the more fast pace songs, each one can stand on its own and does not simply serve as "filler." Everything about this album sounds incredible from the vocals, piano melodies, guitar riffs, heartfelt lyrics, etc. I've had the oppotunity to meet both Jon and Ryan on a few occasions, and they are two of the sweetest and most dedicated guys in the world. They sincerely deserve all the success they've earned and beyond. I hope they're around for many years to come and continue to create incredible music. Do your self a favor and pick up a copy and help support this great indie band.

This band is such a refreshing change from the normal sound of today's bands. The piano really sets them apart and above everyone else. I love EVERY song on this album and I hardly ever listen to a whole c.d. They are peaceful, but not boring...and really catchy. The lyrics are great too. They have a meaning and it's something that gets you thinking. I think everyone, no matter what kind of music you may normally listen to, should buy this c.d. You will not regret it.

I just bought this CD yesterday and I've been humming "Let Go" and "I am For You" all day. This is the perfect blending of Piano and guitar, like Something Corporate, but with better melodies. Jonathan Jones' skillfull blend of falsetto and his soulful pure voice lets the songs on this album soar as high a october skies. Although sometimes the piano resonates in a way that indicates it may not have been of the finest quality, it gives the record a real sound, like you can imagine them playing the music while you listen to it. Pretty much every song on this CD is solid, while highlights include both the aforementioned tracks as well as "Same Problem" and "Silhouettes".

I received this in a timely manner and it came just as it was described.

waking ashland is an amazing band. i have their first EP album that came out before this and I am for you, hands on deck, and longshot are on it. They are all amazing. I am for you is one of my favorites. One day Waking Ashland is going to be one of the most popular bands in the world. Buy this CD now. Trust me you won't regret it.