Future Islands – In Evening Air (2010)

Post #36. In Evening Air by Future Islands.  I haven’t liked growl singing since the days of Creed.  (Yes, it is true and horrible).  For many years after my conversion to “good” music I have listened to singers with smooth high voices, and only in the last year or two have I become open to rougher voices.  It’s easy to hear the difference between this and Stapp’s grunts, but it still took me a few listens to adjust my ear to the Future Islands singing.  Though the music drew me in, the reason I keep listening now is because of the singing.  Lead singer, Sam Herring, conveys so much emotion and seems to pour all of himself into every word.

Herring’s passion is easily visible in the video of An Apology, below.  But if you listen to one track, listen to Tin Man (free download).  The song builds up to about 2:32, where all instruments drop a bit and Herring croaks “I am the tin man.”  I could listen to him say that over and over.  This album was released today and is available to order here.  5 of the 9 songs are on this youtube playlist.

source: jmac