Addison Road

iTunes Review

A fulfillment of the promise shown on earlier small-label projects, the band sounds on top of their game here, reveling in brash power-pop on the upbeat tunes and embracing a shimmering, classically-tinged feel on the ballads. Front and center is singer Jenny Simmons, who matches indie-rock spunk with impressive vocal command. (Think Fireflight’s Dawn Richardson crossed with Margaret Becker.) Her ebullience makes tracks like “This Could Be Our Day,” “All That Matters,” and “Sticking with You” sparkle, with able support provided by Ryan Simmons’ chunky yet deft guitar lines and Jeff Sutton’s kit-punishing drum work. The band executes a funky strut on “It Just Takes One” and slides effortlessly from acoustic pop into a propulsive dance groove on “Always Love.” The album’s slower numbers display both lyric depth (particularly the contemplative pop hymn “What Do I Know of Holy”) and elegant sonic texturing, and Chris Stevens’ boldly-delineated production heightens the impact of the tracks.