LP2

Restorations

SideOneDummy, 2013

http://restorations.tumblr.com

REVIEW BY: Benjamin Ray

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 01/08/2015

A band that is quickly gaining popularity among those who live outside the mainstream, Philadelphia-based Restorations crafted a winning rock record on this, their second release. Full of energy and hooks, the music is a smart, catchy blend of modern indie rock, punk and a hint of classic alt and arena rock, led by the raspy yet sonorous voice of Jon Loudon, who has a voice made for rock singing.

Certainly, the heroic guitar theatrics and rolling drums that end “D” are some of the most exciting of the year. They bleed into “Let’s Blow Up the Sun,” which is less exciting musically but, along with the opener, display a confidence and hunger without arrogance and posturing. “Kind Of Comfort” is similar, pushed forward by the rhythm section and harmonies, sounding similar to the Foo Fighters in their younger, leaner, hungrier days and ending in a rush of adrenaline.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

Although the punk genre is associated with this band, there’s very little punk about this record in sound; it’s definitely melodic rock, sometimes hard, mostly classicist, with an ear toward dynamics and energy. From the catchy 10-note guitar riff that starts the otherwise mediocre “Civil Inattention” to the midtempo burn of “In Perpetuity Throughout The Universe” (which is nowhere near as pretentious as it sounds), from the low-end bass rumble that propels “New Old” like a lead instrument to the economical two-step attitude sludge of “Quit,” the best song that never came out of the late ‘90s alt rock scene, LP2 does not waste a note.

“The Plan” could have been better, a great, energetic post-grunge verse with a dull bridge that kills the momentum, and the closing “Adventure Tortoise” doesn’t justify its six-minute length, acting as more of a jam session for two minutes before moving into the plodding main section and a closing that tries to be heroic before ending on a wonky Nirvana-esque guitar note and immediately fading to black. 

Fans of the band will notice a couple of things; first, the band’s live sound and energy is present but the more punk elements are not, and second, there is little that is subdued or raw about this. It’s loud, well-produced and perhaps a bit generic and forgettable in the spots mentioned above, but by and large this is a very good record. These guys deserve some exposure outside of the City of Brotherly Love.

Rating: B

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