Search - Copeland :: In Motion

Beautifully crafted melodies...

Nathan Knapp_Voronwë | Seattle | 09/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Copeland's second release is quite an accomplishment, very mature, yet not missing an element of rawness that all good indie music possesses. The keys on this release are well put, the atmosphere superb. There's also a lot of "after-you-think-it's-over" music as well (Sleep, Love is a Fast Song, Sleep, Choose the one Who loves you more, You have my Attention, You Love to Sing), you can really tell Copeland really feels what they do.



1. No one Really Wins this Time--overall 10/10-the guitars hit harder on this song than most of their former works (which may come as a surprise to fans of the last album; which I've listened to a little). The lyrics "in this fight of grace and pride, I don't wanna win this time" are just so awesome. Aaron's one of the best lyricists in the industry, period. Would make an awesome single.



2. Choose the One Who Loves You More 10/10-another superb track, the keys more influential, and is more melody-sensitive. As always, Aaron's lyrics and vocals are great. I love what they do with the drums on this song, it keeps the song moving; there is also a guest singer (which was a shock the first time I heard him, as he has a much deeper voice than Aaron, and I didn't realize it wasn't Aaron, lol). For some reason it just reminds me of drinking coffee while it's raining just outside the shop.



3. Pin Your Wings 10/10-didn't like this one at first, but it grew on me, and is such a fun, light-hearted song! Anybody know who Amanda is?



4. Sleep 10/10-this song is so great. The piano is great. The vocals are great. It's just awesome. It's just one of those love songs that just have the best atmosphere.



5. Kite 9/10-It's odd to hear an accordion, but this song is clearly supposed to have a lot of atmosphere to it-the old movie reel clicking in the background is really cool. Sounds a bit like something out of the sixties. It's all accordion and piano.



6. Don't Slow Down 8/10-I love the lyrics on this song, and definitely the piano. "You can take everything I have, just don't leave my side!"



7. Love is a Fast Song 10/10-this song just plain rocks. The guitars are heavier than anything they've ever done before; as always Aaron shines. The lead guitar work is great.



8. You Have My Attention 10/10-this is one of my favorites, the lyrics are very personal, "I'll sing along, the whole day through." It nearly makes me cry. It's beautiful, the melodies just soar, especially when Aaron really let's go at the end. It's so powerful!



9. You Love to Sing 10/10-possibly my favorite song on the album... "Sing with your head up; with your eyes wide, not because you love the song, but because you love to sing, you love to sing..." is so meaningful to me. I think it's kind of a metaphor of life-live with your head up, with your eyes wide, not because you love the life, but because you love to *live*.



10. Hold Nothing Back 10/10-the shortest track; very peaceful acoustic guitars with the electric backing it up. Aaron is such the romantic; I love it, I love it. :-)



So, Copeland rocks, and makes some great emo-no-screamo, to the benefit of all who are privileged enough to experience this CD. All 41 minutes and 28 seconds are great. And they get 97 out of 100. It's hard to beat that, mates.

"

Total surprise

The Iron Summit E-Zine | Arizona | 07/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't typically go for the indie/emo rock thing but wow, this is an impressive album. The songwriting is far superior to that of your typical indie release and while "In Motion" has a few moments that feel particularLY overly-sappy, if you will, I still enjoy this album thoroughly.



I think part of the problem with a lot of this style of music is the the tendency to sound so whiny. Copeland pretty much dispels all that. They sound mature and fully confident in their songwriting (both musically and lyrically) abilities. So much so in fact that they would fit just as well next to a band like the UK's Keane (who has a much more contemporary piano-driven sound) as they would to say, Death Cab For Cutie. The songs themselves have a ton of variance in them from the more guitar driven tracks like "No One Really Wins This Time," and "Love Is A Fast Song," to the more more piano and acoustic driven tracks like "Kite" and "Hold Nothing Back." The strength of the album, of course sits on the fact that every song is a little bit different yet as an album they cohesively work so well. Aaron Marsh has an unbelievable voice, just listen to the high notes in chorus of "Love Is A Fast Song" to the lower notes on a track like "Kite." Then you have songs like "Pin Your Wings," "Don't Slow Down," and "You Have My Attention" which seem to meet in the middle of all. The pacing of the album is balanced very well.



If you want something thats driven on melody and is steps beyond your average indie outfit, this is the album for you. One of the better releases in 05."

The name of the game is growth

ken | NY | 05/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"copeland has left their dashboard confessional behind. "Beneath Medicine Tree" was a good record, but it was safe. If you like safe music that doesn't take a lot of thought to enjoy, stick with that.



If you want something challenging and deep, make room in your player for "In Motion".



You can tell these guys have studied the art of melody since their last release. The melodies are well thought out. The lyrics are far more adult, than the lovelorn, heartbroken ramblings on BMT.



"Kite" reminds me of the beatles

"You love to sing" reminds me of keane

"Choose the one who loves you more" is beautiful and perfect

"No one really wins" would save modern radio if given the chance



In Motion has it all. Great lyrics, brilliant melodies, awe-inspiring vocal performances, fresh grooves, great arrangements, huge guitars, dance beats, slow jams, spirituality, heart, soul, passion. This is a fantastic album. I can't wait to see what Copeland does next."