After the release of The Jealous Sound's 2003 debut album "Kill Them With Kindness," the band showed such promise, developing a loyal following among indie rock lovers nationwide. Frontman Blair Shehan's almost ethereal, passionate vocals made for a solid rock album, but this year's release of the band's sophomore album clearly displays a more mature, professional sound coming from a quartet that has clearly grown up in the past nine years.
With Shehan on guitar and vocals, Pedro Benito on guitar, Bob Penn on drums and Foo Fighters' Nate Mendel on bass, the band is back, and with a cleaner, more powerful sound than ever. The 44-minute, 10-track album was recorded in the Foo Fighters' Studio 606 with John Lousteau producing.
Rumors that Shehan "went crazy" ran rampant during the years following the success of "Kill Them With Kindness," but he insists his time away from the band was just his way of coming to terms with growing older while dealing with the reality of living as a full-time musician.
"What's crazy? Staying in a band at my age with no stability? Ignoring the normal parts of becoming an adult?" he said. "People don't necessarily understand what we do, and the commitment it takes to do what we do."
But, the result of the band's nine-year hiatus serves as a not-so-gentle reminder that Shehan's talent combining smooth vocals with cascading guitars and poetic lyrics never quite disappeared. They have only grown more powerful through the years, as evidenced throughout "A Gentle Reminder."
The album's title track is a standout, with Shehan painting a picture of the demise of a relationship and his desperate pleas for understanding. "You're breaking your back to be alone/ refusing this kindness you were shown/ It doesn't mean anything anyways/ it doesn't mean/ beneath this canopy of trees, I wrap my arms around my knees/ rocking gently back to sleep as I collapse into the deep."
Leadoff track "Beautiful Morning" features impressive guitars and a steady pace that Foo Fighters fans will appreciate. Mendel's contribution on "A Gentle Reminder" and his roots in the Foo Fighters will be apparent to any rock lover, but Shehan's almost delicate vocals combined with heartfelt lyrics makes for a truly unique album from beginning to end. Let's hope we do not have to wait another nine years for more new material from The Jealous Sound.
The Jealous Sound is playing at El Corazon in Seattle on Feb. 25. Tickets are available at www.cascadetickets.com for $13 in advance, or $15 at the door.
