Hello (by After Edmund)

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Artist: After Edmund
Album: Hello
Label: Slanted Records
Released: February 26, 2008

Review

Often bands try too hard to sound original. Some fuse different genres of music, get someone that can’t sing, or try to reinvent something that has been done a long time ago. While some bands are extremely creative and are able to pull it off, most bands just attempt to stand out from the rest – resulting in some really bad music.

After Edmund is one of those few bands that are creative enough to call them original, without trying to impress. Being exposed to a numerous variety of music genres, such as classical music, jazz and experimental rock, and with influences ranging from Wilco to the piano ballads of Keane, After Edmund crafted some serious music on their debut album “Hello”. “We’re kind of a melting pot, a unique fingerprint, combining so many of our individual musical influences into one sound”, says the bassist Matt McFadden.

Musically, “Hello” offers a little bit of everything, songs such as “Thank God”, and “Fighting For You Heart” sound a lot like the British Rock played by Cold Play. Other tracks like “Everyone” and “Stealing Away” are similar to the indie music found in Edison Glass debut album. The album is composed by ten full songs, plus 2 instrumental tracks, “Darkest Room”, and “Go Oboe, which is an introduction to the following track, “Clouds”. Both instrumental tracks display the band’s talent and creativity.

The lyrics in “Hello” are not any great surprise. Most likely you have heard it somewhere else, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good, it just means you won’t have to sit around trying to figure out what they’re talking about. There are a couple of songs that, lyrically, standout from the rest; “Stealing Away”, that talks about letting go things we hold on tight to. And “Clouds” that talks about us not being alone in this world, and the constant presence of God. Even though there isn’t too much to ponder over, Mitch Parks (singer) has a way of making the lyrics perfectly fit into each song’s melody.

“Hello” is sure to please your ears from beginning to end. It’s music you appreciate at each listen.

*Hello (by After Edmund) was added on January 5th, 2010

Reviewed by Dan
Daniel is a music lover, a designer and web developer. He current resides in Philly, but he is always on the move.