City And Colour – Bring Me Your Love Review
City and Colour has become an instant classic since their first full length album release, Sometimes. Since then, it has become a long wait to hear Dallas Green’s next attempt with his solo side-project, and on February 12th, that wait was over. City and Colour is Green’s soulful, acoustic opposite to his mainsted band, Alexisonfire. City and Colour gives fans a chance to truly see what Dallas Green is capable of, beyond the soft-rooted vocals and hardcore-driven guitar work offered in Alexisonfire.
Bring Me Your Love was given a tough task, hoping to top the raving reviews of Sometimes, which was released in 2005. After the first listen, Bring Me Your Love becomes distinctly different from Green’s original work, and listeners will find it nearly impossible to compare it to the first album. The biggest change audiences may find is the noticeable addition of more folk oriented instruments. Sometimes offered Green’s vocal prowess combined with his smooth acoustic guitar and enchanting piano work. Instead, Bring Me Your Love offers a faster, more rhythmic version that includes the occasional banjo, harmonica and drum line.
With all that said have the changes dampened the quality of the music or improved upon an already impressive sound? In all honesty, neither is the case, because Bring Me Your Love is just as impressive, without being the same and this really shows the versatility of Dallas Green. Right off the bat the album starts off with an emotionally driven song, Forgive Me, but as the album progresses, we begin to see the lighter side of the album. Songs like Body In A Box and Sleeping Sickness, feel very inspired, and although they are very lyrically sad, the tone is almost uplifting. It is this ‘happy to be alive’ feel that truly speaks to the soul, and provides a perfect nostalgic feeling. In terms of vocals, Green continues to impress me with his soft prominent voice.
If I had to choose between the two albums, I would definitely go with Bring Me Your Love. Sometimes offered a wide array of soulful acoustic pieces, but Bring Me Your Love has a more inspiring feel to it that can be attributed by the apparent folk influences. The heart and soul of Dallas Green still remains, but the new path it has taken is unparalleled. I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys to just sit down, relax, and listen to great honest music that’s from the heart.
Be sure to check out their Myspace to stream more songs.
Two of my favourite tracks:
City and Colour – Body In A Box
Buy the album at Amazon
