NEEDTOBREATHE The Heat Atlantic / Word Rock 08-28-2007

SCORE 83%

No sophomore slump here. If anything, NEEDTOBREATHE’s new album only clarifies their identity as a fresh southern band with a focused sense of direction and sublime skill-set. The Heat is packed to the gills with melodic, moving sound.

The intriguing opener, “Spare The Time,” offers a hint of bluegrass in its delicate picking and more than enough charm to draw you in. But don’t get too comfortable; the flattened percussion and glimmering guitars of the bouncy “Restless” switches things up quickly, frontman Bear Rinehart’s raspy vocals playing nicely against the splashy pop rock rhythms. Joe Stillwell’s drums stand out powerfully throughout all fourteen tracks, punching through the beautifully soaring bridge of “Again,” and fiercely driving the anthemic rocker with the exhilarating melody line, “Streets of Gold.” Also impossible to ignore are Rinehart’s evocative vocals, as paramount here as they were on the debut album, Daylight. They shine piercingly through “Return” and drawl appealingly through the bluesy changes of the standout title track. “More Time” is another nice surprise, starting out acoustic with a very Paul Simon vocal feel, before moving into into a deeper rootsy groove. The sizzling track features fresh piano phrasing and a quiet organ simmering beneath the morphing sensibilities. It’s a track that holds your interest through every measure.

However, I have the same problem with The Heat as I did with Daylight: a lack of focus lyrically. Collective Soul’s Ed Roland and Rick Beato have dressed The Heat in buzzy production and thick sound that is engaging, yes, but it often overrides the vocals, unfortunately. A close listen to the first single, the edgy “Signature of Divine (Yahweh),” reveals worshipful lyrics, delivered passionately in a fat, hooky chorus, but it’s gotta be a close listen to really catch it all. Waves of fuzz wash across “Looks Like Love,” saved by the track’s big background vocals, and thick guitars and more big vocals carry “Nothing Left to Lose” as well. It’s not enough to keep you from enjoying The Heat; you’d have to work pretty hard to do that. But bringing the vocals forward would have added to the album’s punch.

Also worthy of mention: the pure southern grit of “Washed by the Water.” This redolent track serves up rolling piano chords fat enough to water-ski on, and more great organ work as well. The thoughtful closer, “Second Chances,” quiet and organic, will mesmerize you with its subtle movements. It’s impossible to deny the vociferous talent behind NEEDTOBREATHE; I’m just not sure you’ll get the complete picture through all the thick production of The Heat.