“Ocean Boulevard†needs nothing more than a guitar to fully set the mood of the rest of the track. When Summer’s Gone immediately lurches forth with a blend of styles that uses bits of hard rock, emo, metal, and even hardcore to create something hard-edged while still possessing of a heart. Where the overall track is one that could easily make it onto rock rotation radio, I feel that some sides of the band shine even brighter. Of particular note here would have to be the guitars and drums, which mesh complexity with an easily-approachable sound that all can appreciate. “Welcome Home†churns in the deep end while approaching a brighter, almost progressive-type of sound at the high end; listeners will have to give this track a number of spins to understand what all When Summer’s Gone is attempting to do here.
When Summer’s Gone has another hit on their hands with “Hangoverâ€, a darker and more emotive effort than “Ocean Boulevard. During this track, When Summer’s Gone sets listeners adrift with a rich set of vocals that lay out a similarly-detailed narrative. The melodious vocals will have listeners swaying and utterly beholden to the band; “Hangover†shows all that When Summer’s Gone can continually impress with different approaches. A number of acts currently on rotation and idolized by the nation’s youth can only craft a certain type of music, but When Summer’s Gone goes well beyond that and makes music that listeners can love in a virtually limitless sphere ofr sounds, styles, genres, and approaches.
“Echoes†is the final track on “Decemberâ€, and the added time afforded the track by When Summer’s Gone allows them to showcase an epic effort. The slower tempo of the track deftly weaves together “Pretty Hate Machineâ€-era Nine Inch Nails with Three Days Grace and current hard rock that soon after opens up to an “Estrangedâ€-quality opus. When Summer’s Gone has definitely ended their “December†with an exclamation point, ensuring that anyone that finishes up the album will be hungering for the follow-up.
Top Tracks: Welcome Home, Resolution in D
Rating: 8.0/10
When Summer’s Gone – December / 2009 Self / 8 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/whensummersgone
Awesome article, This album lives up to the billing!