Search - Somerset :: Pandora

Refreshing, going places...

Robert Benson | Twin Cities, MN | 11/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In an industry thematically drained and saturated by recycled artists and albums, Somerset breathes new life into our era of music and art. Their latest release Pandora brings a long-awaited change to an otherwise diminishing business.



Produced by Chris Fudurich (RX Bandits, Finch, Nada Surf), we weave through Pandora track by track seamlessly. One can't help but appreciate the opening guitars as they cut through the speakers in Open Books, a track laden with the philosophical tensions of the world at war with itself. As you listen to the outro transition into the alt-rock Clockwork, you will know that you are listening to artists whose talents are far beyond their years. More Than Answers envelopes you with an infectious chorus that will stay with you for hours, while The Tradegy of Christopher Needs drives at your soul with the strength of bass and drums. The listener deceivingly gets to catch his or her breath with Dandelion Wine only to be thrown right back into the force that Somerset is able to produce in Rhyme Over Reason, another catchy chorus matched with powerful music that displays the band's true talents. But Peppermint Gunpowder presents us with the genuine versatility of Somerset's musicality as the band flawlessly moves from one time signature to the next with coordinated ease. I'd Rather Die Standing shows the band has a passionate yet vulnerable side, and Pandora closes strongly with House of Knives, interweaving portions from the album into an outro that could ideally fit at the end of a film trailer.



There is a clear political undertone to the album, but subtlely and brilliantly masked in metaphors that engage the listener to consider their interpretations. Forrest Olsen's lyrics create imagery not often found in modern music, and when put to the clean sound of his powerful voice, it is obvious that this isn't just another group of twenty-something's merely looking to make it big; they have a message that they believe in and that they want people to hear. Doubled throughout the album with the soothing harmonies of JT Veile, the message becomes a beautiful artistic manifesto. The backbone of the band is found in Claudio Rivera's immaculate drumming and Matt Broadbent's gripping bass licks; both of these elements impressively drive the entire album forward. If you ever have the opportunity to see Somerset live, you will leave at the end of the show knowing you haven't just witnessed an incredible group of young musicians, you have experienced a band that is going somewhere fast.



Pandora is an ambitious and unique debut full-length album that is seldom found in today's culture, and Somerset has a very promising future ahead of them. I also recommend checking out their first EP, This Thought Process, which contains a previously recorded version of Colors of Insomnia, as well as 4 other songs you will not find on any other album."

Falls A Little Short

Chris Conlan (BreakingCustom.com) | Iowa | 08/31/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Review by Tyler Wagnon:



This band will probably do well in the same circles Anberlin and Armor for Sleep have had so much success in. That's right; they play radio friendly emo/rock with a few catchy vocals lines here and there, and a strong love for the dramatic.



Vocally, Somerset brings to mind the dude from Placebo, but less moody and thankfully a lot less nasally. The one thing that can be said in defense of this album is that rather than singing about girls the whole time, they choose some pretty deep topics such as suicide, religion, and politics to sing about, but musically they don't have a whole lot going for them.



There are a few spots throughout Pandora where I caught myself humming along and I can see why some people would be into this. If you are into Armor For Sleep, Coheed and Cambria, etc. you will probably be into what these guys are doing."