Search - Aloft :: Closer To Nowhere

Take A Chance, I Did

K. M. Fales | NY, NY USA | 11/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I read about bands like Wilco and Radiohead writing, recording, deconstructing and rearranging their songs to come up with something new, I get a little bit sick with all of the manipulation. Don't get me wrong, Wilco and Radiohead are two of my favorites, but there is an obvious difference between a constructed album and a deconstructed album. Pink Floyd's longer jams, like "Meddle", are constructed; they are built layer by layer by musicians with ears that somehow mix sounds that are oil and water to the rest of us. The "modern-rocker" in me appreciates the visions of Jeff Tweedy and Thom Yorke, but the classic rocker in me yearns for the warmth of well-crafted melodies, un-"enhanced" by the clever manipulation of sound, post-recording.

As I sit here listening to Aloft's "Closer To Nowhere", the classic rocker in me is thoroughly satisfied, (and dancing some in his chair). The modern-rocker in me is firmly planted, riding on lush, flowing carpets of sound through a universe crafted by Billy Mrak and Todd Brasseur, (aka Aloft), that rivals a trip to Wonka's factory. If we're talking about ear candy, Aloft is Wonka, and I'm the Candyman peddling "Closer To Nowhere" as a new chewing gum containing an entire meal. Track six, "Cactus Cross" has just begun, and I'm stuffed from the meal already, but it tastes so good, I can't stop eating. Each song is my new favorite as it plays, all the way through to "Yellow Light", my first favorite upon my first listen. I honestly can't say what my favorite song is now. I can't have one without another. I need the whole album!

Please listen to this album through headphones, alone, with the time and attention to take it in. It's not a self-indulgent, sparse, rookie debut. "Closer To Nowhere" sounds like a fourth or fifth album, not a first. It is Aloft's "Unforgettable Fire", their "YankeeHotelFoxtrot", on their first outing. Everything about is mature and refined. Billy, Todd, with two months to go, "Closer To Nowhere" is my Number One album of 2004.

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Buy this CD!

Gino M. Ughetti | Denver, CO | 02/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not a very good reviewer, but this CD is so wonderful that I have deicded to give you my impressions of it. Well, first of all, any CD that leaves you singing the songs long after you have stopped listening to them must be good, and this one is no different. The peppy melodies that Billy and Todd bring to this CD are outstanding!!! The two best songs, in my opinion, are "Closer to Nowhere" and "Cactus Cross." I just keep playing them and singing along. If nothing else, listen to these two songs and you can just feel the talent of these two men.



While I was listening, I was trying to compare this artist to others, but I couldn't do it. Why? There are so many I could compare them to, that I would need a pad of paper to keep up. I don't say that in a negative way, I say that in the way that they sound like the best of many groups. Really, I think you should buy this CD and then you could say that you owned the first "Aloft" CD before they became famous. Great job Billy and Todd and keep up the great work! I look forward to the next one."