Review by Rachel Jablonski
"Rachel! I love this song! Who sings it?” I heard my sister scream through the slight static of my cell phone. Next, I was being subjected to pure and relentless torture. “Cuz IIIIIIIIIIII found a wayyyyyyyyyy to something the sun from the skyyyyyy loooooooong live that umphdada ided to flyyyyyyyyyy from the insiiiiiiiiide” came blaring into my ear completely deafening and out of tune. The voice was so abrasive that I could barely make out the careless words. The Paula Abdul meets my out of tune piano meets a jackhammer meets nails on a chalkboard voice was difficult to understand. After putting up with this battering for minutes she finally stopped, allowing me to utter the words, “Are you kidding me? I have no idea at all what you just sang!” And then the screeching proceeded.
After many more excruciating encounters, it became clear that the song desperately trying to be conveyed had to be the first single, “Fly From the Inside” from Shinedown. In recent months the reoccurrence of this tune on the radio has undoubtedly intrigued many. My assumption is that, with the positive response I have witnessed here in Lincoln, Nebraska, similar reactions have been expressed nationwide. The main difficulty I have concerning such a high demand for the song is that it is not one of the best tracks on the album.
As catchy as the album is, which typically would imply first listen appeal, I was not initially impressed with Leave a Whisper. I could hear a clean, crisp sound that excellently enhanced resonant vocals, but I did not perceive the originality many other critics have been proclaiming. In addition, while listening to the album other various artists tended to seep into my head. One major example slightly reminiscent at times is Revis who released Places for Breathing last year. Having said that, over time my admiration for Leave a Whisper has increased exponentially due to three powerful tracks.
“Lost in the Crowd,” “Burning Bright,” and “45” constitute a slower side of Leave a Whisper that is unmistakably effective. The musical backdrop is well fitting for the vocals, which are, without a doubt, the dominant instrument throughout the album. The pure and graceful voice is remarkably captivating. Compelling melodies and passionate lyrics are naturally pictorial allowing each song to become a personal experience for the listener. Other songs such as “In Memory” and “Fly From the Inside” are heavier in comparison, but also demonstrate potential as seen with the great mainstream success of the first single.
Shinedown have produced an album that is not entirely original in sound, but is effective nonetheless. A handful of solid tracks carry Leave a Whisper to a level of melodic temperament not brought about by every artist. Despite the horrid experience I first had with Shinedown via my sister’s wretched attempts at singing, the band has ultimately earned my respect and has somehow encouraged the musical bond between my sister and I.