The Intersphere - Hold On, Liberty!

Sure, their influences are easy to spot, but that doesn't mean this isn't some damn fine pop/hard rock hybrid tunage.For me, the appeal of bands like [classic] U2 and Coldplay (read: classic U2) are the wide soundscapes they create, replete with energetic, melodic rhythms, and the soulful wailing of relatable (and sometimes surreal) lyrical themes about the struggle of the human condition. The Intersphere builds on this foundation by adding a nice quasi-punk sheen to it all that energizes the formula without reminding me of every other current era band out there. I guess I'm finally considered old. Time for me to start wearing a sweater all the time and start complaining about the young'ns ("how can you kids listen to that noise?!").

Part of the charm of Hold On, Liberty! is its undeniably fresh vibe, due largely to having recorded the album live in the studio over the course of just a week (you read that right). In a musical paradigm that favors Pro Tools skills as much as the ability to do a windmill on your Les Paul, its encouraging to hear that there's a growing push (e.g., Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt) to go back to basics and make a freakin' album like they used to: write your songs, play them 'til you know them backwards and forwards, mic yourself up in the studio, and hit the record button.

The title track, and the Alien Ant Farm-ish groove of Sleeping God really make for some great music to have on while I'm working and need a little productivity boost without the need for a full on mosh at my standing desk (hey, nothing gets you coding like Testament).

The Bottom Line: Very few bands are coming out with a totally new sound that takes the world by storm. But this doesn't mean that there's nothing worth listening to out there. The Intersphere's second CD makes for a nice blend of Coldplay and Opeth for those needing a little more pop to their heavy music.

Standout Tracks: Sleeping God, Masquerade, and Over

- Genghis digs this old school recording resurgence...