Needtobreathe

Needtobreathe is a Southern rock group from Charleston, South Carolina. They have been signed to Atlantic Records since the release of their first album "Daylight" in 2006.

The band has been touring and putting out records for years and they are now just finally getting the respect that they deserve.  The big launch for them was opening for country music star, Taylor Swift in 2011.  This allowed thousands of people to hear their music and finally get them on the mainstream radar.

During that tour they were promoting their latest album "The Reckoning". I recently received this album and re-fell in love with them! While being in the Southern rock genre, some songs have more of a twang than others and some have more rock than others. So their style is a perfect in-between.

With this album they went for different sounds while still maintaining their "Needtobreathe style". The changes in song style have showed their growth as a band and also makes for a great album. To hear a bit more about some of the songs and the general album watch this video (which I will be quoting from).

This is also my first attempt at an album review so hopefully it goes okay.

The first track "Oohs and Ahhs" opens up the album with keys, guitar, and light cymbal tapping. The chorus is very catchy and easy to learn on the first listen. The best part of the song is the wailing horns and the sick bass solo that eases the listener to the end of the track.

Track two, "White Fences" is essentially about the "American dream" that so many people strive to accomplish. In America, the dream is to be successful, live in a big house with a white picket fence with your wife and kids. But in the song it talks about how it is not perfect and that those households fall apart.  

"Drive All Night" is frontman Bear Rinehart's "Bruce Springsteen ode".  Its about letting go of what is going on in one's life and escaping from it for a night. The song in musical structure is a bit similar to the track one, with a slow beginning which climaxes to where all of the instruments are playing together all at once. This song is an incredibly fun toe-tapper which will get any crowd pumped up.

"Slumber"is a softer track with intricate acoustic guitar and a steady bass drum. The end of the song has a xylophone part and gang vocals which are spot on. The video (which is linked here) is silly with the main character exploring outer space in his dreams with a stuffed lamb.

"Keep Your Eyes Open" is one of the best music videos I have seen in a while. It is interesting but not in a creepy or overly insane way. And the song is great also! It opens with classy keys and a thumping bass guitar which drive the entire song. The chorus states, "If you never leave home, never let go, you'll never make it to the great unknown." This encourages listeners to desire to experience new things because if you don't go and see you'll never know what you missed out on.

If you have been a long time NTB fan (like myself) then "Devil's Been Talkin'" will quickly bring you back to their original sound complete with banjos, lower drum sounds, and rock guitar riffs. 

What makes this band excellent is their passion for what they do and more importantly the glorious voice of the lead singer, Bear. Goodness, his voice is beautiful!

I give the album 4 stars.