Reviewed by Paul Loader

This Holiday Life are a four piece indie pop rock outfit from San Diego in California that spend much of their time on the West Coast of America and are growing in popularity out there. They have shared stages with bands such as Switchfoot and Copeland and have been nominated for a San Diego Music Award for Best Rock Group Of The Year. You know they say you should never judge a book by its cover; well it is certainly the case with this CD. The artwork gives the impression that this is a humour filled arts school production when in fact I think it would be fair to say that the album is far more thoughtful and serious than that. It is one of those CDs that require three or four listens before the songs really begin to get a hold and sink in. I have to confess on hearing the CD for the first time I found it kind of bland especially towards the end. However, the more I listen to it the more I am enjoying it. My favourite track is "Undercover", which has an early U2 guitar sound going on right through it. "Mission Control" is the liveliest song on the album and has you tapping your foot despite yourself. "Animal" has an enjoyable quirkiness about it with a jangly honky tonk piano acting as the back bone for the song. The songs begin to slow down towards the end of the album and may not be to everybody's tastes (well not mine anyway), especially the last three songs, "You Are The Moon", "Oh Sister Please" and "On Top", which become very ponderous and thoughtful in comparison to the more pop related tracks at the beginning of the CD. However, for those who enjoy the college rock of bands such as Coldplay or Travis this album will excite and inspire.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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