Not really power pop, but regular rock here. Fans of Counting Crows and Dave Matthews Band will find a lot to like about Fair Herald, with it’s laid back guitars and Mike Kuntz wailing lead vocals. The opening song “From Peotone” has a steady beat and effective piano lead, hits its comfort zone early and it continues with the mellow REM-like “Whirlwind” where Kuntz sings “There’s no where else to run anymore.” The next song is one of the albums best, “Coyote Nowhere” with it’s alt-country guitar ballad style and sunny mood and light percussion – similar to Whiskeytown or Old 97s. The remaining songs on the album tread on familiar guitar rock ground, and don’t really distinguish themselves from each other. There are exceptions though. “Never Said Hello” and Make Me Blue” are standouts as musings on a relationship with a musician, and both have an impressive guitar solo to end the songs. Fans of the above mentioned bands should check them out.
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