It is with great pleasure I announce the return of The Alternate Routes, albeit in the form of an EP rather than LP. Anything is better than nothing but, as I predicted, this EP whets the appetite and leaves you wanting for more.
The EP finds the boys once again in top form, with new drummer Kurt Leon fitting in seamlessly. Listening to Tim's voice again, kind of a cross between Glen Phillips and Neil Finn, is most welcoming, like hearing a comforting friend. With "The Watershed EP", The Alternate Routes continue the quality found on "Good and Reckless and True": great hooks, intelligent lyrics, outstanding musicianship, and an awesome voice.
We start with "Love Me For Nothing", a wonderful acoustic-driven ballad that takes off gently and builds steadily, much like "Ordinary" from "Good and Reckless and True". "Shelly", my favorite track on the EP, is an ultra-catchy pop rocker with a big fat chorus hook and a remarkable vocal performance in the bridge. Tim is an impressive singer and should give us the pleasure of hearing him belt out sustained higher notes more often. "Louisiana" is a foot stompin' Cajun-flavored tune inspired by the spirit of recovery efforts. Tim's voice sways like the breeze over a chorus of harmonious winds in this one. "Asked You Twice" is laced with harmonica and has a bluegrass tinge, but is firmly rooted in pop rock sensibility with harmonies and hooks aplenty. The short 20 minute party ends with a straight up rocker a la "Are You Lonely", entitled "Good Time Gang".
As we mentioned in an earlier post, "Love Me For Nothing" is available as a free download right now on their MySpace page - go grab it if you haven't already! Better yet, support The Alternate Routes and buy the EP today and catch them on tour in a city near you.
iPOD-worthy: all tracks!
The Alternate Routes on MySpace. Official site.
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