Customer Reviews

You Can't Trust a Ladder

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

 

 

The Myriad have done their homework and figured out the perfect formula for how to create an awesome CD. The first track wastes no time in grabbing your attention and letting you rock out completely, and you're hooked for the next 38 minutes. With a sound that is a hybrid of Radiohead, Muse, Lostprophets, and even Deftones on one track, The Myriad have very effectively fused together raw rock with great production. While this debut may have just been released, one can only hope that sophomore followup album isn't far behind. If the band is coming to a town near you, I highly recommend checking them out, as well as adding them to your MySpace if you have one. They treat their fans great and while the chances of them making it big are high, they haven't lost touch with reality one bit (Heck, the thank you section of the liners probably takes up the most space of anything in there!).

Bottom line: If you're looking for a new favorite band and are into Radiohead, Muse, Lostprophets, Snow Patrol, or any band with that style, buy this CD and give The Myriad a shot; chances are the only regret you'll have afterward is that there aren't anymore songs to listen to.

This, the first full length, record-label sanctioned album by the lovely boys in the Myriad is indeed like the first taste of honey mead after a long, hard fought battle with broad swords, maces, and battle axes: It is a cool, sweet, refreshing draught of sound amid all the cookie-cutter bands/albums that are such the rage at present.

This is truly a fantastic, unique album. "You Can't Trust a Ladder" is a perfect blend of arty, edgy rock cool and deliciously melodic, poppy song writing. The album sucks you in immediately with a great rocker (and my personal favorite on the record)..."Stretched Over". The vocal melodie is absolutely infectious. The album then continues with great song after great song, all containing wonderfully intelligent lyrics and catchy melodies. There are swanky, dancy pop-rock songs like "Perfect Obligation," beautiful vibey songs with haunting bakcground vocals like "A New Language," energy-filled rockers like "Godray," and epic-like builders like the closing track "We Will Be Disappointed Together."

The album is filled with great instrumental colors, and the musicianship is of the highest quality. Plus, they use a cello bow on the guitar, which earns them massive cool points. And one song is intro'd by a 30 second vibraphone track....more cool points. The album is produced by the great Aaron Marsh of Copeland fame, who also provides some beautiful background vocals on a number of tracks (just listen to the bgv's on "A New Language" and try not to swoon with delight....). In conclusion, this album is a must have. Purchase it now, or risk the wrath of a slighted scimitar-weilding warrior.

The Myriad show the ability to tackle a broad array of sounds and musical styles. At one moment, they deliver music to kick back to on a cold winter day with such tunes as "The Last Time". The next, they show a definitive pop flair for perfect driving down the road music with "perfect obligation". Finally, they drive home quality rock with "stretched over" and "we will be disappointed". Many compare them to such as muse, snow patrol, interpol, and jimmy eat world - all of which I enjoy. But I beg to differ that the Myriad intertwines the best of all worlds to chart their own unique sound - a sound that will be worth following as it develops from this solid, don't miss debut.

I first discovered this band when they opened for A Beautiful Mistake and was very impressed with their sound (they played so tightly, and the mix was so good it was as if I was listening to a CD rather than a live band). The music was good, with solid beats and enchanting rhythm and melody (my first observation was the Radiohead influence - but that's not to say they're a knock-off). This CD has a good mix of more upbeat, energetic tracks and gentler more harmonic ones. The Myriad apparently claim to be a religious band (or is it just some joke of theirs?), but with songs about relationships and life's uncertainties, their religious leanings are not obvious - that is they don't sing "rock and roll hymns," like most modern religious groups - which in my mind makes them more accessable to a wider audience. Though I suppose one could read into the lyrics as much as one wants. In short, this is a very well produced, well written and well arranged debut album, even if a little bubble-gummy. Though I actually liked them more live, This CD is worth a shot.

The Myriad has tuned into the world of raw music. Critics and those critical alike have taken to the debut album "You Can't Trust a Ladder" with the liking of 7 year old with his new 'erector set.' Fans have packed clubs, bars, and concert halls to get a glimpse of the newest band that has inspired and rocked a new generation of those that are most appreciative of the art of music. This album is solid from the first to the 11th track. Each of the songs speaks to a world in peril and offers both an artistic and spiritual revival to those in need. If you have enjoyed the music of Radiohead, U2, The Muse, Copeland, etc, The Myriad will bring a fresh and soul fulfilling edge to the even the finickiest of listeners, and truly please those who enjoy the above mentioned genre. The band is most assuredly a fan-based band. I watched a show in Costa Mesa, CA days ago, and was pleasantly surprised to see the fan interaction and the time and genuine attention paid to each of those who appreciate their work.
From the fans to the Myriad..........Keep on Rockin'

Only two things have ever received 5 stars in my life; my honeymoon, and the birth of my child. You can see why I cannot rate an album, even one with this level of musical clarity, with 5 stars. But I truly wish I could, and here is why:

I've followed the Myriad's progress over their first few self-released albums, always with a strong anticipation for the next. "Ladder" is in an interesting position of being both a fulfillment of the promise of those first few albums, but also just the very start of what will be a long major-label career.

Many artists have great ideas, and many have a flawless execution, but very few performers have the ability to invent an original sound AND see the idea through to a high quality production. It would be easy to start name-dropping - Radiohead, Coldplay, Delirious, Snow Patrol, even Jeff Buckley - as a means to describe the Myriad's sound. This would only serve to summarize where the band has been, not where they are going.

If you miss being moved by the rock and roll, I recommend you risk 13 bucks and give "Ladder" a shot. And no, I'm not related to the band. I'm just a guy who is now late for work, but wanted to at least give back a little to a band that has given me so much.

After hearing their EP album, I was instantly intrigued. I was not disappointed after getting this album as well. A lot of times it seems as if Christian rock bands all sound like Relient K, but this is not the case with the Myriad. If you want some new, good Christian music to listen to, get this album today.

Review by Tyler Wagnon:

Alongside their Christian brethren Copeland, The Myriad does their best to write dramatic songs in the vein of Coldplay and Radiohead. To their credit, vocalist Jeremy Edwardson has one of those voices you can simply get lost in, but the songwriting simply does not cut it.

If you couldn't already guess, You Can't Trust a Ladder is a somewhat somber album full of crunchy guitars, keyboard flourishes, catchy choruses, etc. The first few tracks display a little more energy than the rest of the album, which is something they should work on. Again, Edwardson's vocals are pretty nice, and they do some good work with harmonies, but the songs are just really boring and after the initial few tracks, the album loses a lot of steam and never recovers.

Not all is lost however, because The Myriad has really set a nice foundation on which to build their sound. Right now they are trying a little too hard to sound like their influences, so a little work in the creativity department and some better songwriting and these guys will be heading in the right direction. Until then, no thanks.

If you like European rock with an American flair, let me introduce you to The Myriad. The modern rock sound they have is hard to nail down, sounding more like a hybrid of several bands without actually being any of them. You can hear the influence of bands like U2, Coldplay, Radiohead, and Cool Hand Luke just to name a few. The production levels of this recording are great. There's really not much you can say bad about this release. I loved this CD!

Songs like "When Fire Falls" and "10,000 x 10,000" remind you instantly of Curious Fools, The Prayer Chain and Radiohead with their atmospheric guitars and whispery vocals. "The Last Time" and "Stretched Over" sound a lot like they could have come from Pedro The Lion.

The tempo really picks up with "Perfect Obligation" and "Tethered". Both are a lot more upbeat than the songs thus far on this disc. Both have catchy vocal work and sound like they'd be a lot of fun done live-especially "Tethered". The guys sound tight and the hooks come strong.

The band really seems to cut loose with songs like "Nothing is Safe" and "Godray", channeling a ton of energy and excitement into the latter before dropping into an ethereal bridge and back out again to an explosive finish.

"A New Language" slows things down again. Though the song isn't as energetic as the ones before it, the intensity is still here. "We Will Be Disappointed Together" closes the disc with a strong anthem. Jeremy Edwardson's vocals throughout the record are smooth and yet can instantly take on the power and strength necessary to blow you away.

The Myriad has an incredible sound that should quickly make them a favorite of a lot of people. This is one strong group with a lot of appeal to fans of modern rock. Though I've compared them to a number of bands, they're not trying to copy any of them. Instead, they have found their own sound and built upon it. If you're a fan of Muse, Sunny Day Real Estate, or Christian bands like The Violet Burning, Mute Math, or any of the others I've mentioned before, you'll find something to like in "You Can't Trust A Ladder".

This is an undeniably great work by this new artist. I always love artists that seem to remind you of others that have gone before, but are defined by none of them.

Radiohead, U2, I could go on. But the fact is that these guys have defined themselves bye their own means and creative talent, and should earn themselves their own space on the rock music landscape very soon.