Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Draw a Distance, Draw a Border by The Details is full of catchy songs you're sure to be hearing on your nearest alternative radio station very soon (if not already).  Perhaps the only reason we haven't heard of them yet is that they're Canadian.  But, their pro sound will most likely be trickling down south.  With driving rhythms, powerful vocals, unique guitar riffs and songs that build and build, this album makes for an enjoyable listen. 

On the first track, the powerful drumming and interesting dynamics stand out.  This song, Always, Always, Always, Never, starts out bare but you can tell that more is coming  because the rhythm has some tension in it.  Sure enough, after a few long verses, more sound explodes onto the scene.  This slow build is reminiscent of Coldplay but I would say that The Details have an edgier sound overall, especially in the climax of each song.  Interesting rhythms abound throughout this album.  Check out the military-ish rhythm in Burns Much Brighter.

The vocals, by Jon Plett are punky and powerful.  You can tell that Plett would be fun to watch onstage.  He not only has a powerful voice, but he knows when to tone it down and which words to emphasize.  In the song Capture and Develop Plett pulls off an introspective few verses complimented with some nice harmony.  Sometimes listening to his voice reminds me of the vocals in Modest Mouse. 

On Hit Parades, The Details sound a little like the older Wilco albums.  They add a country flare to the song while still keeping their rock style.  A choir chimes in at the end, adding the perfect touch to a sort of epic song.  They sing, "When you're hooooolding me, the world seems better!"  This song shows the depth and range of experience of the band.  

Overall The Details makes interesting decisions, making each song fun to listen to.  You never know where the songs are going to go.  But, they're not all over the place... the songs definitely have a cohesiveness.  Their ability to stay true to the form of the melody and rhythm yet still create variation in the song shows true musicianship.  The Details definitely pay attention to details, making them interesting, all in service of a musically satisfying hole.