A band doesn’t necessarily have to be revolutionary or groundbreaking for listeners to enjoy it. This is definitely the case for the youngsters in Ivoryline, a quintet from Tyler. The band signed with Tooth and Nail Records and released its debut album, There Came a Lion, in early February.
Ivoryline plays a formulaic blend of rock and pop, not strange or peculiar for the majority of bands on the Tooth and Nail roster, such as Anberlin and Emery. One of the biggest differences, however, is the vocals. Vocalist Jeremy Gray has a much stronger voice and a more expansive range than either of the aforementioned bands’ frontmen.
The first and most notable thing I noticed from the album is the production. Aaron Sprinkle, who has worked on everyone from Pedro the Lion to the Deftones to MxPx, handled production duties and did a pristine job. The songs sound clean and crisp, highlighting the band’s most notable guitar, bass and drum tones.
Like most Tooth and Nail bands, Ivoryline has an influx of religious undertones lyrically. Tooth and Nail is a predominantly Christian music label, with a lot of its bands’ members tending to be open about their faith. This is not to say they preach or write about higher powers, they just tend to have a more positive and faithful approach to songwriting.
"Days End," Lion’s leadoff track, is an urgent rock-anthem, much like the rest of the album. Other standouts include "Hearts and Minds" and "All You Ever Hear," both of which show the band’s lyrical and musical potential at their peaks. Another standout track and quite possibly the most accessible, "Be Still and Breathe" has distorted vocals, electronics and a catchy chorus, as well as the highest probability of making new fans.
The biggest setback of There Came a Lion is its tendency to be repetitive. Toward the middle of the album the songs become intertwined with one another until it seems you forget what song you were listening to.
The final track, "The Last Words," however, is by far the best on the album. It stands out from the rest thanks to the orchestral arrangements and the uplifting and powerful lyrics in the chorus: "Can you see evidence of perfection? / Look past the circumstance and find the meaning."
There Came a Lion is definitely a strong debut from a band that has a lot of potential. The entire album is energetic and fast-paced, and there are plenty of catchy sing-alongs destined to become fan favorites.
However, the members either need to utilize their resources and step up their game for their sophomore album or hang up their guitars and consider themselves another notch on the bedpost of modern rock music.
There Came a Lion is out now on Tooth and Nail records. You can catch Ivoryline on tour with Aiden at 7 p.m. tonight at the Meridian, 1515 Chartres St.
Verdict: Solid album that tends to fall flat at times. A good debut, nonetheless.
