Lyrically and musically, the album deals with hope, disappointment, and the ambivalence between them. It is music from old hearts and deep roots, with new eyes open to the unlimited possibilities of 12 notes, but always with the desire to write a good, honest song. “Coming from the Dark” is the first song. What hits me out of the gate is the unusual combination of heavy structures in the riffs and bass work with harmonized, ethereal vocals. It creates a sense of suspension for a while. “On Guard” has a slow and subdued groove with sultry, smoky vocals and easy acoustic guitar work. There is also a bit of an old school feeling to the song.

 “Master Tongue” is much heavier and sturdier, coming out of the gate with screams. It settles into some vocal harmonies but still remains pretty dark, and the low bass note strikes are very supportive of the angry sound. “The Head that Wears the Crown” is a bit more melodic, and the emotional qualities of the music come out strong here. “Cold Hard Rain” is just that…a cold song that does not offer much shelter from the elements. It has a smooth song with some unexpected chord progressions, and this is much of the band’s “progressive” sound. “Unity” uses a lively bass and guitar sound and the band shows some diversity on the album. Again, some of the places the chords go are just unusual, and that’s the only way I can think of to describe them.

 “Towers” is a more straightforward song, but the nifty little shifts between the riff and vocals are interesting. This time, the melody makes a better connection for me. “Here and Now” has a sweeter sound with plenty of delicate melodies. It’s another more straightforward song as well, and the band seems to be settling into these more. “Things I’ll Never Do” is more ardent and heavy, showcasing the band’s darker side. The guitar riffs get dirty and nasty and the vocals turn angry. “Long Road” closes the album; a culminating journey that brings nostalgia back to the listener. Although the skies stay pretty clear, there are passing moments of grey clouds, which the band uses throughout the album.

Overall, this was a fairly unusual sound that many fans of music will either connect with or not. It’s very personal music, which by definition means it has a niche, and I am not sure what that niche is. I found much of the album to my liking however.