Come Undone
remained under the radar despite a strong showing of Southern-influenced modern
rock
. Vocalist
David Leonard
, guitarists
Toby Friesen
and
Jesse LaFave
, bass player
Brian Meek
and drummer
Ryan Hawk
had difficulty describing how their jangly modern
distinguishes itself from similar fare by other middle-of-the-road
acts. A dreamier, less funky
Maroon 5
or a diluted version of
the Turning
might come closest to pinning down the sound on the quintet's
Word
debut. Producer
Rob Hawkins
(
David Crowder Band
) kept the guitars bright, and this extra gloss kept the album from veering off toward
emo
territory. The title track benefits from an
After Edmund
-like pulsating riff and soaring vocals that give shape to the lyrics. Other tracks find strength in lyrical transparency and powerful dynamic builds throughout. The lilting ballad
"Center of Attention,"
which was featured on an episode of TV's
One Tree Hill
, describes the power struggle in an unbalanced relationship. Closing tracks
"Give It All Away"
"Let It Fly"
offer little in the way of memorable lyrics but make up for it with the album's most approachable and upbeat
pop
rhythms. Frequently compared to
Matchbox Twenty
NeedtoBreathe
,
Jackson Waters
showed they were perhaps just one hit away from taking the
contemporary Christian
market by storm. ~ Jared Johnson