Until June Until June Flicker Records Rock 04-30-2007

SCORE 85%

While I can’t give an unqualified yes, there is much in this unique debut that provokes interest. Brothers Josh and Dan Ballard wrote all ten thickly melodic tracks of Until June, and I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t something fresh to be found in this moody, piano-driven pop. Lead singer Josh’s vocals stop short of falsetto, but just short, and most of the time he makes it work, wringing deeply emotive power from each well-constructed track. Dan’s glimmering guitar work shines just as brightly, and Garcia’s thoughtful production only adds to the mix. Still, it took me a little while to get on board.

The opening “Sleepless,” while true to the unique Until June sound and composition, threw me with the weird falsetto trill that repeats throughout almost the entire track. Yet the vocal mix on the following “What I’ve Done” is actually quite appealing, Josh coming across much less intrusively on the emotive pop track. The atmospheric, airy “The Saddest Song” is hook-ridden and irresistible, and allows listeners to play the always entertaining “God or the girl?” game. Not that there’s anything wrong with that (for all the Seinfeld lovers). Distributed to the mainstream market, Until June rides that fence quite well, with most of its lyrics addressing the standard fare of love, loss, and regrets issues. I enjoyed the slow burn of “Unnoticed,” covering beautifully the universal pain of loneliness. “Don’t Walk Away” is full of honest angst and Beach Boys-like harmonies. I like the way the Ballard boys juxtapose sunny melodies and introspective lyrics. The album grows on you as it progresses, but that may be simply because the latter half is stacked with all the best tracks.

Interestingly, these are the ones with the more overt faith references. The pretty, Cold Play-esque “This City” is profoundly evocative, both lyrically and sonically with its fluid guitar lines and simple brush work. The thickly textured closer “You Do” pulsates with atmospheric yearning, Josh’s vocals expressive and clear in this lovely acknowledgment of the Lord’s supremacy and wisdom. It’s a very strong closing for an album impossible to discount. Makes you glad the band held on until June.