Artist: Weatherbox
Album: American Art
Label: Doghouse Records
Purchase: SmartPunk
Release Date: May 9th, 2007

Overall: 9.5
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.0

Look, if you missed out on Weatherbox’s recently released EP The Clearing then you need to get your music priorities straight. It was, simply put, awesome! However, if you’ve been living under a rock and missed out on it, don’t lose too much sleep as three of the five tracks, from the EP, have made their way onto their debut full length due out this spring.

Ok, now that I’ve snapped a batch on those who slept on The Clearing, I can address those individuals, like myself, that have listened to the EP fifty times and are getting a little tired of the five tracks. Unfortunately I wish that the three tracks hadn’t made their way onto the full length, but that’s marketting; and to be completely honest, they are probably the three tracks I would have picked to carry over to American Art. Let’s just be thankful that the entire EP didn’t find it’s way to the full length.

So where do I begin;  the CD itself is a work of art. Lyrics are on point, guitars, drumming and vocals are excellent, if there was anything to be let down by, it would have to be the production level. Now, maybe it’s because my copy was an “advance” release and things could easily change from now to release date; but the production doesn’t take anything away from the stellar listening experience. Let it be known, my favorite track Snakes, Our Ground, which by the way can be streamed from their Myspace and Purevolume website, mixes great hooks and melodies that don’t disappoint… it has great lyrics about grass, wind, roots,
earth, fire, water, death, and going insane; without giving it outright away, it fills me with visuals of my
favorite Wednesday night show.

**Hint: Island Life for the TiVo generation.

American Art should be on everyone’s wish list, keep your eyes peeled in early May for it; You won’t be disappointed.

Myspace | Purevolume

Tracklisting

1. Atoms Smash
2. Armed to the Teeth
3. The Clearing
4. Wolftank, Doff Thy Name
5. ________
6. Moments Before The Smashing Of Future Ryan
7. Snakes, Our Ground
8. A Flock Of Weatherboxes
9. I Worship Raw Beats
10. The Dreams
11. The Drugs
12. Drop The Mike
13. Trippin’ The Life Fantastic