Soular – Love Crash Heal / 2007 Astonish / 12 Tracks / http://www.soular.us / Reviewed 22 April 2007

The title track starts off Soular’s “Love Crash Heal”, and the overall sound achieved by the band here is something that blends together Interpol, U2, and more than their fair share of John Maher. As can be expected, there is a tremendous amount of radio-friendly atmosphere present to “Love Crash Heal”. “So, This Is The Way It Feels” has a harder edge to it, but the vocals are still at the focal point of the track. The electronic instrumentation pushes Soular into a blend of The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and Panic At The Disco, even as the vocals are still of the coy type that will remind listeners of a more sultry John Maher. “American Dream” is another track that brings a slightly different approach to anyone that is listening to Soular.

While the track may start off slowly, the band is smart enough to bring in a harder-edge and keep individuals riveted to their seats. The compositions on “Love Crash Hear” are very smoothed out, calm, and when it seems like Soular might be getting into weak territory, it only takes the band a few seconds to right their course. This is due to the fact that “Love Crash Heal” is their fourth album, and while some acts are still screwing up royally by this time, Soular is not. “Take Me Away” is a track that I feel will make huge waves on the British charts, as the slower tempo and more emotive vocals of the track seem to jive more with British sensibilities than to the more hard-rocking, intense desires of the Americans.

“It’s A Shame” is another track that meanders through, with the guitars not conforming to any particularly. The slinky nature of the track shows that the band skirts the edge of being funky at time, and that merely listening to one track will not be enough to get a good appreciation for the act. Soular is an act that just needs to tighten up their sound a little more and make slightly more obvious overtures to the listening audience. If this can be done, the sequel to “Love Crash Heal” will be an album that is a must pick up. Right now, the band comes out with solid music, but there are rough jags that could still use a little work. Give this album a go, and listen to how Soular develops from here.

Top Tracks: American Dream, Take Me Away

Rating: 5.0/10

[JMcQ]