I hate to use the word “disappointed,” but nothing better sums up my feelings about Precious. Pick up Distorted Lullabies if you want to be truly moved.
No more pop punk comparisons or Braid parallels, just smart rock distilled through a library of Superchunk sophistication and Sunny Day Real Estate melodies.
Same delicate, shuffling chamber pop that brings to mind The Divine Comedy and Rachel’s (without sounding like either), but the songs are stronger this time.
Its caress is like a blossoming smile on a child’s face, or a car commercial showing a carload of people glad to be together, each lost in their own thoughts.
Dudes from Shai Hulud and Strongarm help, but new vocalist Jason Gleason more than fills (current Dashboard Confessional whiner) Chris Carrabba’s shoes.
Steve Von Till is in Neurosis and like Mark Lanegan’s solo albums; it’s a chance to step away from the band, breathe deeply, and flex the sensitivity muscles.