City and Colour is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Dallas Green, who found an
immediate following after his departure from the band Alexisonfire. The
singer’s latest album, The Hurry and
the Harm, continues to showcase Green's effortless vocals, pulsing
instrumentals and enigmatic arrangements, which have yielded widespread indie
success. A minor alteration in sound may be attributed to the singer’s move
from Canada to Nashville, but whatever the reason may be, it is a
stirring and attention grabbing change.
The album opening title track lays out the album's primary message of the, which is to slow down your hectic lifestyle and take advantage of the
opportunities at hand. Green proves to be a gifted lyricist with perceptive
ideas strung together throughout this first track like, “No matter the cost,
we’re longing to live in a dream. But we can’t let go to all that we think we
know. This great escape, until we give up the ghost.” This song sets the bar
high with Green's hypnotically captivating vocals taking center stage.
“Harder Than Stone” is a prime example of City and Colour’s retailored music, offering fans the nostalgia of Little
Hell or Bring Me Your Love with a
more folk oriented, acoustic driven vibe.
“Paradise”
and “The Lonely Life” transition the album into somberness with their
composition's melancholy focus. The gloominess of these songs is
balanced nicely with the sleek, soaring vocals of Green accompanied by propulsive
instrumentals. “The Lonely Life” in particular draws on rhythmic guitar chords
and sorrowful lyrics, engulfing the listeners in an experience unique to City
and Colour.
The first
official single, “Thirst,” again switches the mood of the music from
heartbroken and sad to dark and dominating. The blues riffs in this song almost contradict the type of music Green puts out, but they are used
sparingly enough that it makes the song sound better. “Ladies and Gentlemen” is
another one of those dark songs that tries to explain what love really is. The
final sentence Green utters in “Ladies and Gentlemen” sums up his view on the
difficulty of finding true love in a chaotic world with a straightforward “good luck.”
Certainly
those missing the all out rocker Green used to be in his previous group Alexisonfire
may again be disappointed at the singer's more mellow side . The Hurry and the Harm is one of the
most thought provoking albums this year, and it benefits from Green's rich vocals, murky lyrics and polished studio sound. The album concludes on a sad
note with “Death’s Song,” but there is still a great deal of
tracks to hear that provide valuable life lessons and mellifluous tunes.
Grade: A-
