Aaron Gillespie has just gotten one step closer to total domination. The Almost’s new record Southern Weather is the cure to the haters of his other band, Underoath. The Almost is Aaron’s full display of his talent, vocally and musically. Sharing control with the reputable Aaron Sprinkle, Gillespie wrote and recorded eleven songs.

While the songs vary in tempo and dynamics, I don’t really feel like the record ever reaches a smooth flow. Individually, the songs are outstanding. Aaron’s guitar-work is what came as the biggest surprise to me. His all around talent is comparable to that of Dave Grohl and Phil Collins. His voice, unlike in the demos, is powerful and controlled. He soars melodically on most tracks, reminiscent of Underoath’s “Reinventing Your Exit” but climbs higher and tensely combats himself with harmonies that stand the hair on your neck. Songs like “Amazing Because It Is” and “Dirty and Left Out” (which features guest vocals from Sunny Day Real Estate’s Jeremy Enigk) dive into Aaron’s unhappiness with his own behavior, faith and love for Jesus. Much more open with the spirituality that takes a metaphorical disguise in Underoath, The Almost is as honest as you can get.

My favorite track, hiding at the end of the CD, “Everything That Makes Me Sick” is anything but. Other standouts “I Mostly Copy Other People (with Kenny Vasoli)” “Everyone Here Smells” and radio single “Say This Sooner” make this a definite staple in my music collection. Aaron will be touring for the next six months straight between both bands, definitely make the effort to catch this band before they hit mainstream success! Check out the record after its release on April 3!

Track Listing:
1. Say This Sooner
2. Drive There Now!
3. Dirty And Left Out
4. I Mostly Copy Other People
5. Southern Weather
6. Stop It!
7. Amazing, Because It Is
8. Everyone Here Smells Like A Rat
9. Never Say, â┚¬Ã…”I Told You Soâ┚¬?
10. Call Back When Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m Honest
11. Everything That Makes Me Sick