When the first few chords of Ingram Hill's new album, "June's Picture Show," began, I was expecting big things from this rock group I had never heard of before.
Sure enough, when lead vocalist Justin Moore opened his mouth, I couldn't help but smile. So what if he sounds like he'd fit in just fine with the commercial rock groups out today (Nickelback, Creed and just about everyone else)? He's definitely talented.
Although I love Moore's voice, his vocal talent can't change the fact that most of the songs on the disc sound exactly the same.
The problem isn't that it sounds like it belongs on adult contemporary radio. A lot of what's on there is good, and I'm sure Ingram Hill would do quite nicely on the radio dial. But there's something missing - a certain spark that separates Ingram Hill from the rest of the pack and each song from the next.
I would have been excited to hear more versatility on the album, like a hard metal-edged rant or a mellow acoustic piece. But they weren't there.
The little variation between songs, almost makes the band sound inexperienced - which is inaccurate considering that Ingram Hill is signed to Hollywood Records, released a CD in 2002 and has spent much of the last year touring the country.
Don't get me wrong, musically "June's Picture Show" meets all the criteria of a good rock album. It's definitely one that I can listen to over and over again and not feel tempted to break the CD if I the same songs one more time.
The song "Chicago," about a guy waiting for the girl he likes to come back to him, is a good choice for the opening song. The music starts quietly for the first 16 counts before it really gets going and takes you by surprise.
And "Almost Perfect" sounds like the perfect radio single. The chorus is clever: "She's almost perfect/She's so close to being everything/She's almost perfect/But she's not, she's not mine."
It's feel-good music and it puts you in a good mood. When I hear it, it makes me feel reminiscent, like I just want to whip out photos and journals so I can sit and think about the past.
The music is strangely comforting in that way. The lyrics are so honest and Moore's voice so passionate that you end up falling in love with it.
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