Customer Reviews

Scream & Light Up the Sky

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It seems to be a recurring event; it happened last week with Rilo Kiley and now this week with Brooklyn-based The Honorary Title. Abandoning your signature sound for a more radio-friendly one can either be a disaster (Liz Phair) or a step forward in creative development. Luckily, The Honorary Title finds firm footing in a broader sound that embraces the band's pop sensibilities.

The album opens humbly with lyrically driven anthems "Thin Layer" and "Stay Away" but immediately kicks into gear with "Untouched and Intact", the album's first single. "Stuck at Sea" is a perfect example of THT's new sound: ambient, area-friendly, and virtually free of acoustic intimacy. As "Far More" proves, the album is essentially a balancing act: maintaining a sound that suits Jarrod Gorbel's vocals and lyrics but simultaneously augmenting that very sound.

"Radiate" is grand affair while "Along the Way" is a beautiful return to the days of THT's "Disengage" - both catchy and spare. And just when you think you know where this album is going "The City Summer" arrives. It's the song that could possibly propel THT into the mainstream. The song even opens with a "Na Na Na Na..." chorus. Even indie-elitists won't be able to deny this one. "Only One Week" and "Wait Until I'm Gone" recall the quiet melancholy of Anything Else but the Truth, providing a great showcase for Jarrod Gorbel's heartfelt vocals. Closing the album is "Even If", a gorgeous new type of THT intimacy that's easy to embrace, even love.

Lyrically, THT have never been more consistent. Their songs have always contained both cynicism and depth but Scream and Light up the Sky contains the strongest hooks of their career. Produced by Rob Schnapf, who has worked with Elliott Smith and Beck, The Honorary Title greatly expands their sound without abandoning their trademark style. Jarrod Gorbel's haunting vocals and deep confessionals sound better than ever on an album that, instead of taming their sound, makes it louder, more defined, and more polished. Even armed with a newly engaging, radio-friendly sound, The Honorary Title still remains a quality band, with all of its golden traits untouched and intact.

When the Honorary Title released Anything Else But The Truth in 2004, singer/guitarist Jarrod Gorbel and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Kamstra were an acoustic duo. After several years of playing live, their sound naturally grew to require a full band, with Jonathan Wiley contributing electric guitars and Adam Boyd (ex-the Format) providing the backbeat. If fans of the singer/songwriter formula that graced Truth are worried Gorbel's personal and poignant stories will be lost among the noise, they can put their fears to rest. Playing with a full band, Gorbel's distinct, powerfully emotional vocals have never sounded fuller on Scream And Light Up The Sky. Ranging from vibrant pop-punk ("Untouched") to acoustic balladry ("Even If") to indie-flecked rockers ("Apologize"), each song contains a hook as prominent as the hipster scene in the band's native Brooklyn. While incredibly catchy, a closer listen reveals the dark themes of failed relationships, meaningless sex, inevitable change and mental anguish. "Stay Away" finds Gorbel wailing, "If you're using me/Do it slowly/Make it last until I have to go," and the haunting "Don't you think I'm lonely/Eager to complete the story/Confused and still haunted with why you'd start over" on "Even If" are just two examples of the longing, confusion and heartbreak that pepper the disc. In the end, the Honorary Title prove singing your sorrow really is cathartic.

If you already were a fan and enjoy Anything Else But the Truth hundreds I cant imagine being disappointed by this album. I just bought it a week ago because I didn't even realize they had released a new album. I suspect this is the case with many of their fans as I have never seen much promotion anywhere for these guys, but they definitely deserve it. Gorbel, the vocalist, manages to sound even better on this album. The songs are slightly more complex, the arrangements a little bit more grand. I would not at all say this is more of a pop record or radio friendly as I see other reviews saying. However, the production quality has definitely been upped so it does sound a little more slick. This is great music and anybody who liked good indie rock will love this. IF you like Spoon you will like this. And if you cant stand Dashboard Confessionals you will still love this.

Scream & Light Up The Sky is fantastic! It's been the only CD I've been playing for the past couple days. Jarrod Gorbel's vocals and lyrics are amazing. The lyrics are so honest, heartfelt, and relatable. Be sure to check them out with the CD. Each time I listen to the CD, I find a new favorite, but so far my favorites are "Untouched & Intact," "Along The Way," and "Only One Week." Buy this CD!

I love this album! I only recently discovered THT through a friend, who revealed to me Anything Else But the Truth about a year ago. It blew me away, as much as a mellow indie-pop folk-rock album ever could. I finally looked them up and to my pleasant surprise, another, more recent release was available and I pounced on it. Scream and Light Up the Sky is diverse yet cohesive, radio-friendly yet underground, and in my opinion, near perfect. Jarrod Gorbel has become one of my favorite songwriters to date and the upgrade in production, along with a full band, gives his endearing writing style an extra punch this time around. Every time I pop this album in, I can't help but press repeat and sing until my voice gives out. Every track is a treasure but here are my favorites: #2 Stay Away, #4 Stuck at Sea, #5 Far More, #7 Along the Way, #8 Apologize, and #10 Only One Week. However, personally, I wouldn't recommend skipping any song. Buy this album, put it in, let the hooks set in, read the lyrics, and be overcome with musical pleasure.

This is a progression in the direction of the single from the first album, "bride and tunnel." It's an album of largely upbeat rock tracks that just glide along really well. The grit this band had before has been made less gritty and much more poppy but it still sounds characteristic and hearty. There are still some remnants of their former style such as the last song, but because of the studio-polish producers they use here they achieve a sound that isn't unwelcome, but is different from what they've put out before. The lyrical concerns are the same and the wailing is still everpresent, however, rather than having adequate backing as they did on their previous works, they have a small army with them this time and it sounds like they've been playing together for some time. In some ways these guys are chasing what the Old 97's are doing, but with less alt-country, more acerbic perspective, deadpan humor, and powerpop flair. I think Rhett Miller would be proud to share the stage with these guys. Here's hoping there's much, much more to come. They can never put out the music fast enough.

The Honorary Title has outdone themselves on their 2nd CD. It isn't often that a band can put out such a strong follow up CD but the Honorary Title has pulled it off flawlessly. The lyrics, the musicianship, the melodies are all so amazing and well done. This Brooklyn based band is quickly making a name for themselves. Do yourself a favor & order this CD - you won't regret it for a single second. The Honorary Title rocks!

Karen from Texas

I first heard this band on one of my absolute favorite t.v shows One Tree Hill and immediately fell HARD for them. They have an AWESOME sound that I love and are very unique. I like to listen to alot of different music from A7X, Bullet for my valentine, Band of Horses, MGMT and Jose Gonzalez so it really is no surprise to me that I'd love this music. I have to say that my most favorite by far song on this cd is FAR MORE!!! I just love the way it starts and how it flows thru my mind till the very end. It makes me all tingly inside. I have to say that I am not disappointed one bit with the purchase of this album and would do it 100 times over just to get the same end result. I am looking for them everywhere and hope they make it to San Jose so I can see them in person. Can you imagine how much better they'd be in person. Trust me if you purchase this cd it won't disappoint. Well unless your just unaware of what GREATNESS IS!!!

This album is amazing, my girlfriend and i listened to Anything Else But The Truth on our first date. this band has so much importance to us. this album is abolutly amazing, everything these guys touch turns to gold!