The Features - Some Kind of Salvation

Some Kind of Salvation is like some sort of fusion of The Killers, Finger Eleven, and Modest Mouse. The Features show that they are really a pretty diverse band here, with this album really blurring lines between genres. While their sound is evident throughout the album, the songs all sound quite different but flow together very well. Whatever Gets You By is a short little intro with a syncopated organ giving it a sort of English folk feel. The Drawing Board kicks off with a cool horn part, and this is where that Finger Eleven influence really shows up (listen to this song and Paralyze or whatever it's called by them). Foundation's Cracked owes a lot to the Killers, kicking off with a piano playing slow rhythym chords, and the song actually delves into the realm of experimental music, with a guitar that is more often playing strange scratchy sounds, near random notes, and bursts of distorted chords for the chorus. GMF is a song with a new wave sounding synth chorus and an older rock (that's a stupid description; read: 70's rock of some sort) sounding guitar part. The Gates of Hell is much different than the first 7 songs; it's slower and has a very dreamy, psychedelic, relaxing feel to it that really contradicts the lyrics . Baby's Hammer has a fingerpicking guitar part, folksy sound to it. Concrete is a vintage synth sounding post punk/new wave song. Now You Know is a nice, upbeat song to finish off the album, that actually even throws a little bit of Animal Collective sound into the mix. Overall, a nice diverse album that makes for an interesting listen. These guys know how to take a wide range of influences and throw them all into one album while playing with their own unique sound. Not one of my favorites, but more than decent.