Reviewed by Trevor Fitzgerald

As no doubt everyone knows by now, this is the debut album by Aaron Gillespie who is the drummer and back-up singer in the US band Underoath and has been a surprise number one hit on the US Christian charts. Amazingly, Aaron not only wrote all the tracks for the album but he also sings and plays practically all instruments as well (Kenny Vasoli from The Starting Line plays bass on a couple of the songs). Musically and vocally The Almost is less aggressive than the screamo style of Underoath and is in a more alternative rock vein. Standout tracks are the driving percussive "Say This Sooner" and the acoustic "Amazing Because It Is", whose chorus is a re-working of the first verse of the classic hymn "Amazing Grace". Aaron has managed to turn it into a powerfully anthemic part of the song, especially at the end when it's sung with great passion with the backing of a choir and crunching guitars. Overall this album has many great hooks and ideas that keep it interesting upon repeat listens. Each track has something different to give, be it an interesting arrangement or riff or vocal line, which makes for a hugely impressive debut which deserves its big success.

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