Aloud has always written music that, at first listen, seems like it would translate easily to the stage. Until now. "Exile," the band’s new LP, is dark and densely orchestrated. Acoustic piano and horns cast deep overtones over the traditional rock instruments and lend the songs a weight altogether new to the band. The songs are, for the most part, a good bit slower, too. That’s not to say that this album is hard to swallow. Tracks like "Counterfeit Star" and "A Light That Shines" bounce along at a danceable clip, and in the slower songs, Aloud’s memorable melodies have more room to stretch out. In fact, one of the most effective songs the band has written to date, "Exile in the Night," is the perfect combination – the chorus melody is a beautiful, lilting duet between Jen de la Osa and a high register piano over a groovy rhythm propelled by a guiro. This album doesn’t sound like an especially easy transition to live performance for the band, which might be for the better. If this much of a departure in the studio produced such a rich and interesting result, their always-electric live performance will be all the more memorable given the new material.
Catch Aloud live before they leave for tour! The release show is at Club Church and is hosted by author and poet James Caroline, and the supporting bands are St. Claire and Old Jack.
Church / 8:30 pm / $10 / 21+
– The Deli Staff