The Jealous Sound - Kill Them With Kindness (2003) [FLAC]

  Genre: Pop/Rock
  Styles: Alternative, Indie Rock, Post-Grunge, Emo
  Source: CD (log + cue)
  Codec: FLAC
  Bit Rate: ~ 900 kbps
  Bit Depth: 16
  Sampling Rate: 44,100 Hz

  01 Hope For Us
  02 The Fold Out
  03 For Once In Your Life
  04 Naive
  05 Anxious Arms
  06 The Gift Horse
  07 Does That Make Sense?
  08 Guard It Closely
  09 Abandon! Abandon!
  10 Troublesome
  11 Recovery Room
  12 Above The News

  The logistics surrounding the Jealous Sound's debut album, Kill Them With Kindness, could have very well broken up the band. Bandmembers came and went and label politics nearly wrecked the SoCal foursome's plans for a solid first album, but the frustration and passion of those three years since the release of their debut EP are captured in this record. As much as you can hear it and feel it, you can taste the bitter desire behind the Jealous Sound's emo-tinged rock sound. Producer Tim O'Heir singles out the trio guitar work of Blair Shehan, John McGinnis, and Pedro Benito and emphasizes their man-size playing, signifying the Jealous Sound's readied confidence. Tony Palermo's session work behind the drums rounds out the album's infectious energy, particularly on "The Gift Horse." Shehan's signature scream during his Knapsack days is scaled down a bit for a heart-rending tone similar to Catherine Wheel's Rob Dickinson and the rollicking of "Hope for Us" and "Naive" showcases the Jealous Sound's lovely resilience. Kill Them With Kindness observes personal heartbreak and all of its apprehensions without being redundant. the Jealous Sound had enough time to prepare for this album, so the lack of experience of recording it isn't really there. What's obvious is how this band wanted to make a great record and Kill Them With Kindness is polished and tight in all the right places. The candied pop of "Does That Make Sense" is evidence of that.