Sail in to The Shore by clicking on this link ... The Spore Overall Album Score: 8.4 out of 10 Well ...... Even though I very much enjoyed listening to The Shore's 2004-released eponymous debut album, I feel a bit unfortunate to have to point out that this isn't anything outstanding. I like all the songs on here very much. Especially the 10-scoring stunner, "Hold On," which ought to be a hit. Nevertheless, even though the songs are likable, they're all played and arranged well, and they have some breadth, the band's innovation level is precisely zero! Everything on here has been said already multiple times, in this post-grunge age of ours. And ... yeah. Unless you're really itching for another post-grunge album (that's very nicely done), then you don't need to bother with The Shore. If there was only an ounce of innovation in here, I would be compelled to change the album's status as a "nice debut" to a "promising debut." But, really. What's so promising about an album that sounds exactly like everything else in the genre? No, actually, I'll take that back. There is a lot of promise here. The Shore really know how to put together a song ... not once did I ever question their strong abilities as a band. They're not offensive; they're music isn't ugly whatsoever. Many of these songs even have breadth! Yeah! There is promise here! ... They just need to figure out how to be more exciting and innovative. If they can do that, cutting memorable albums ought to be a piece of cake for The Shore. ... but we'll never know unless they try. Ovearall Album Score: 8.4 out of 10 (The Shore deliver a nice debut. The songs are all well played and some of them really are quite charming ... however, it's not nearly innovative enough to be considered notable.) Average Song Score: 8.7 (A very strong collection of tunes. All of them are not only listenable, but enjoyable!) Album Tilt: 8.5 (A good album. It's consistent and it has a few sheer highlights in it. After listening to it, though, I'm never too excited about it.) Artist Rating: 8.0 (Certainly this album's greatest downfall is its artistic merit. While I certainly respect the songs for being 'enjoyable,' there's nothing in here that we haven't heard before.) Track Reviews Hard Road 9/10 Absolutely solid. While the melody isn't greatly memorable nor does it have any tricky hooks in it, it is quite pleasant. The arrangements are even better, giving the song a very nice sort of lucid feel to it. Although the song is essentially your run-of-the-mill post-grunge, it's something that I enjoy listening to. I like the violin tracks in the background. It's a very good song ... especially for a band that has just started. Firefly 8/10 Again, this is pretty ordinary post-grunge ... nothing new, exciting, or particularly innovative here. Nevertheless, it's a pretty good song with a strong melody (the melody is not ingenious, but it suffices wonderfully) and good instrumentation. Take What's Mine 9.5/10 Right ... we've already established a few times that The Shore isn't very innovative, but they are very pleasant and skilled. That's why "Take What's Mine" comes as a certified "Recommended" song by Don Ignacio! The melody is very nice ... the instrumentation is even nicer, keeping the songs' feel lucid and alluring. Another nice one. Everything We Are 9/10 You defnitely cannot complain that this band isn't utterly pleasant ... but, again, it's nothing to get phenomenally excited over, creatively speaking. But ... that doesn't matter! It's a good song to listen to! The melody is good, the instrumentation gives it a nice mood ... this is another fine, fine song! Waiting For the Sun 8.5/10 Still very nice, but it's not as exciting ... never mind! It's got another nice (but unexciting) melody as well as good instrumentation again. Yippedoo! Different Ways 8/10 Hmmm ... I seem to be getting less and less excited about these songs! This is still pretty much good, because it has a good melody, good instrumentation ... it's dynamic but not as much as most of the songs previous to this. Still very nice, though. It Ain't Right 8/10 Not too great, either ... only slightly a bit of a mess. Just the same, the melody and instrumentation are both totally solid! Again, another good song from The Shore. (...is there a little part in here playing homage to The Beatles' "Fool on the Hill?" If you own this album, you might want to check that out ... and ponder.) Hold On 10/10 ...A weak 10, but it is a 10! ... Also, I'd say I'd be disappointed if this doesn't get any radio play. (I'm reviewing this album brand spanking new ... and I don't listen to much radio, anyway, so I'd never know!) At any rate, this song certainly deserves to be a hit of some sort. Again, it's nothing new, but The Shore sure put it beautifully. The song has a simply wonderful melody ... and like every other song on the album, the instrumentation is simply smashing! ... But this song has stronger elements of those, making this one mightily excellent song! ... It's quite engaging, indeed. I love it!! I'll Be Your Man 8.5/10 Yep. This is rather disappointing and dull after hearing something like "Hold On," but the song is still very nice and strong. I like the melody ... I like the arrangement ... I like your mother ... I like The Shore. I must say especially for a brand new band, they sure know what they're doing. Coming Down 8.5/10 This is almost an 8, but I decided to be extra nice to The Shore this time. The track is a little bit lengthy, but the sheer loudness and the energy of the electric guitars all throughout this one make it all right in my book! The melody is good, again, and as I said, the electric guitar arrangements are nice. Giveth thy comments hither thy busom hereth.

All reviews are copyrighted by the author, Michael Lawrence. Yup.