The Send Cosmos Tooth & Nail Records Rock 07-31-2007

SCORE 88%

You gotta like a guy who follows his dream. Joseph Kisselburgh walked away from the very successful West Coast band Falling Up to follow his vision, and if Cosmos is any indication, it was a good call. He’s been writing these songs for a while, stealing away solitary moments even while still touring with Falling Up to craft together “spiritual songs from beyond.” Kisselburgh hooked up with famed producer Aaron Sprinkle to help bring his grand visions to life, and the result is thirteen artful, majestic tracks that still retain enough rock energy to pack a punch. Kisselburgh is forging this strong creative path at the tender age of 20, making you wonder just how much of the cosmos his trajectory will end up covering.

The moody, airy “Need” is a very strong opener, its glimmering keys and soaring vocals grabbing your attention immediately with its Coldplay-esque sensibilities. This ethereal approach runs like an icy vein throughout the album, often playing potently against the rock solid rhythm section. The intelligent instrumental interaction really stands out on Cosmos. “Fairweather” contrasts delicate guitar riffs with nailed down percussion, while the eclectic standout “Santiam” opens to austere drums that play nicely against the lush instrumentation and soaring vocals. I enjoyed the guitar movements on its experimental bridge, before the chunky hook rushes back in for the uplifting chorus. The album’s first single is “An Epiphany,” soothing in its ambience and sweeping piano lines, although it lacks the pointed focus of many other tracks.

Lyrically, Cosmos walks a strictly vertical line without ever wavering in its vivid eloquence, descriptively articulating sensations as much as specifics. “Santiam” alludes to God’s glory: “Any script could not contain You/True love is not like it’s played in a movie/When I close my eyes, I feel You with me/Because You bled for a love that is holy.” Many songs openly confess neediness, and recognition and acknowledgement is a recurring theme. Quiet and airy, “The Fall” repeatedly confesses “I need to say I need You,” referencing well the powerful truth of Colossians 1:17: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Rousing rocker “The Science of the Sky” pleads for connection over its frenetic rhythms, while bright pop-rocker “Drown” cries out for straight-up salvation through sweet sonic touches and layered vocals.

“Blocking the Sun” takes the recognition theme to its nth conclusion, burly guitar riffs and edgy bass work leading finally to a majestic surrender. The album closes with more of the same, message-wise, the soft vocals of “In Repose” laying out a final confession of need and gratitude. The Send is sure to keep us interested as they progress in their development, and Cosmos is a very good beginning.