The Lonely Forest : Arrows
by Cyndi Jo
Staff Writer
Every eardrum needs a break from all that heavy frenetic goodness that most love dearly. Yeah, there are metal bands who can pull off a decent ballad, but how about a listen to something totally out of the realms of the oh so heavy?
It’s a tough one to break and if it’s possible, that band better have deliver the most amazing album to attract any metalheads attention to make that exception. Unfortunately, that can’t be said of Washington natives: The Lonely Forest.
The Lonely Forest is the first to be signed to Warner Music’s Independent label, Trans– which was founded by Death Cab for Cutie’s guitarist/producer Chris Walla. So one would think that their debut Arrows will sound something as good as Death Cab can pull off, but it sways more towards the direction of bad Dashboard Confessional meets, well that’s the worst it could possibly be.
The first track “Be Everything” is a quiet compilation of strings and the introduction to vocalist John Van Deusen’s shaky, too soft and melodramatic voice. From then on, there is no artistic vision, or anything genuine or unique– mostly the same repetitive nonsense amplified through this annoying whining attempt of singing and simple guitar riff with genetic drums. “Coyote” is too somber. “Two Notes and a Beat” does have those catchy elements that could have saved the album but still nothing too special. It leaves a listener wondering where is that stimulation.
It’s a tedious listen, that the most 13-year-old indie listening, hipster kid at Coachella will find hard to fully comprehend, yet be attracted to. Don’t make a switch to something softer with this album, because this shouldn’t even be an option. If you were to come across it, do as second track says, “Turn of this Song and Go Outside” before the ninth track: “End It Now!”
Label: Trans Records
Band: John Van Deusen
Eric Sturgeon
Braydn Krueger
Tony Ruland
Track Listing: 1. Be Everything
2. Turn Of This Song and Go Outside
3. (I Am) The Love Skeptic
4. (I Am) The Love Addict
5. Coyote
6. I Don’t Want To Live There
7. Tunnels
8. Two Notes and A Beat
9. End It Now!
10. Woe id Me… I am Ruined
11. We Sing In Time
12. Arrows
web site: www.thelonelyforest.com
Hardrock Haven Rating: 5/10