Reviews
Reviewed by Brenten Gilbert, CM Central
Most clubs that you go to these days have someone at the door that stamps your hand as you walk in denoting that you've paid the cover charge. Once you're hand is stamped, you can generally come and go as you please for the night. Much like cattle bearing a brand, the hand stamp clearly marks you as a patron of the club and based on that status, you're granted certain privileges. If the stamp wears off, you need to be restamped before you are recognized. Similarly, when man was created, God incorporated a stamp of sorts, making us in His image, granting us a more intimate knowledge of Him as well as other benefits. Over time, it seems that this image too, has faded to a degree.
Produced by Aaron Marsh, The Myriad bursts onto the scene with a powerful album filled with catchy melodies and well-crafted lyrics. With a tone that is largely darker than typical CCM fare, You Can't Trust a Ladder takes an intricate look at human nature and the hopelessness of our situation. Tracks such as "The Last Time", "Stretched Over" and "When Fire Falls" address this directly, pointing out that left to our own devices, we are bent on destruction. The mid-section of the album ('Perfect Obligation," "Tethered" and "Godray") , shed some light on the issue and offer a glimpse at the solution. At this point, the album begins again, with a twenty-two second intro and "A New Language," which speaks of a newly found hope and plays brilliantly on images of the Biblical account of Noah and the ark.
Musically, The Myriad finds it's place amongst the avant-garde styling of groups like The Blood Violets, Jump Little Children, or even a mellower House of Heroes. Jeremy Edwards provides a strong vocal backbone to the group, gripping the listener as the songs unfold. "When Fire Falls," "10,000 X 10,000" and "Godray" provide great examples of his vocal range and ability. As a whole, the album really sets a nice mood, matching the highs and lows of emotional inferences with energy and delicacy. The music tends to match the darker tone of the lyrics, driving home the points discussed.
The Myriad is certainly one of the groups that is worth keeping an eye on. With edgy pop sensibilities, appealing melodies and lyrics that are engaging enough to keep listeners interested, You Can't Trust a Ladder rivals its counterparts and should be a solid addition to many collections.
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