Southern Weather

The Almost | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tooth & Nail / Virgin Records
• ASIN: B000NJL4ZS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,991 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Alternative Press

Although Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie cites Dave Grohl as the drummer-turned-frontman inspiration for his brazenly unscreamo project The Almost, musically it has far more in common with late-'90s emo acts like Jimmy Eat World and Sense Field. Although Gillespie's croon is still distinctive, the 11 driving tracks on Southern Weather--on which he played nearly every note--allow him to stretch and sing his heart out alongside gospel choruses ("Amazing, Because It Is") and melodic rock riffs ("Everyone Here Smells Like A Rat") with equal aplomb. However, the highlight of Southern Weather is "Dirty And Left Out," a confessional--and decidedly non-secular--duet with former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman Jeremy Enigk that's chilling enough to give goose bumps to even the most stringent non-believers.

Ask Underoath drummer/singer Aaron Gillespie about his biggest influence and he'll tell you in a heartbeat: Dave Grohl is the man. No surprise then, that in his new side project The Almost, Gillespie has set aside Underoath's ferocious post-hardcore for an arena-worthy alt-rock sound that's understandably drawing him comparisons to the Foo Fighter's honcho and ex Nirvana skinsman. ...Their frontman's trademark modesty aside, The Almost's debut, Southern Weather, gives Gillespie's musical hero a run for his money. From the monster power chords and dynamic fireworks of the first single "Say This Sooner" to the gentle acoustic melancholia of "Dirty And Left Out" (featuring ex Sunny Day Real Estate singer Jeremy Enigk on guest vocals), Gillespie has nailed the Foo Fighters formula as much as he's expanded on it.

Southern Weather is a dynamic, melodic and sincere album, which is a testament to Gillespie's love of bands like Jimmy Eat World and the Foo Fighters. For all of its driving, contemporary rock, Southern Weather also features plenty of acoustic guitar, keyboards, strings, horns and even a choir. Opener (and first single) "Say This Sooner" begins, appropriately, with Gillespie's up-and-at-'em drumming introducing great slabs of guitar, which make way for acoustic strumming and introspective verse vocals before building into a true anthem of a chorus. While full of robust, tuneful and heartfelt rock songs, Southern Weather also throws its share of sonic curve balls: the countrified "Dirty And Left Out" is a lamenting, slide-guitar smeared confessional that would be equally at home on some lonely roadhouse jukebox as on an obviously very personal, man-and-his-guitar track, but soon a horn chimes in, and then the tune unexpectedly blooms into a choir-augmented steamroller with a relentless backbeat.

Product Description

Aaron Gillespie is a man obsessed. Whether he's out in front of The Almost, his new, eagerly anticipated rock-based project, or behind the drum kit for Underoath, the Clearwater, Florida-bred songwriter/musician can't help but throw himself into everything he does.

With Southern Weather, The Almost lets Gillespie put a different, more melodic side of himself on display. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his idol Dave Grohl, who stepped out from behind his drum kit to capture the rock world's hearts as one of the genre's most visible frontmen, Gillespie has begun a metamorphosis.

The disc's commanding opening track and first single, "Say This Sooner," introduces the album with an attention grabbing, percussion-driven anthem. "I grew up in the Deep South," Gillespie says of the urgent, hook-fostered opener. "Like anyone, I've had struggles along the way. But I am very much informed by Southern values and I think the songs speak to that."

Between his own duties out in front of The Almost and Underoath's touring and recording schedules, Aaron Gillespie is fully committed until 2008. For now, he's a firm believer in his ability to balance both. "Underoath is extremely special to me," he says of the group he co-founded in 1998 which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Album Chart with June 2006's Define The Great Line.

"Southern Weather has got a much broader scope," he continues. "From a 12 year old listening to her iPod on the school bus to a 38-year old guy commuting on a train, I'm excited by the fact that this album can find an audience with a lot of different people."

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Drop everything you know about Underoath, April 13, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Southern Weather (Audio CD)

Before we get into the meat of this review, I want you to get Underoath out of your head. Aaron Gillespie is in Underoath, but that's the only tie to his other band.

This CD is great, simply put. The sound is reminescent of old Dashboard (although I hate Dashboard as a band) and maybe some Rocket Summer. The pop rock sound gives way to a mature, deeply emotional rock effort from The multitalented Aaron. Most of the lyrics are very heartfelt and believable. The 'christian' aspect of this release will undoubtedly turn some people away, and although this is sad, it's the truth.

Overall a great record and a good way to spent 8 bucks.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Because It Is (to quote a song title), April 26, 2007

By 

newamericanclassic (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Southern Weather (Audio CD)

With its debut album recently released, The Almost already has an enormous fanbase, most of which are also Underoath fans. For those who don't know, Aaron Gillespie, drummer/backup vocalist for Underoath (who, arguably, made songs like Reinventing Your Exit as popular as they are), is the brainchild behind The Almost. He almost literally produced the entire album himself, writing the lyrics and recording pretty much all of the vocals, drums, and guitar.

Don't expect anything like Underoath; this is far lighter, general rock with general themes. The only thing that's the same is his voice.
Like most CDs, there's a mixture of great and not-so-great tracks.. However, to fully appreciate them, you need to listen to the album at least a few times before judging.

There are two acoustic tracks on this album: Dirty and Left Out, and Amazing Because It Is (I'd almost call it a remix of Amazing Grace.. it features a choir XD); other than that, it's just general rock. Don't expect any screaming or hard rock.

Listen to the track samples to make your own judgments..
Personally, my favorite songs are Say This Sooner (obviously :D), Everything That Makes Me Sick, Call Back When I'm Honest, and I Mostly Copy Other People.
The only song that I'm not too crazy about is Dirty and Left Out; it's whiny and acoustic.

Frankly, considering that the album is only 8 bucks, I'd say it's well worth it.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Almost are almost there., May 19, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Southern Weather (Audio CD)

This is a good debut for Aaron and company.I got hooked on these guys after I saw Say This Sooner on the tube,and I bought the the album as soon as it was released.Almost all the tracks are great but my favs are Say This Sooner,I Mostly Copy Other People,and Stop It.Can't Wait to see what these guys release next time.