WHAT WE ALL COME TO NEED

While the music here isn't bad or poorly executed, it's also uncreative and monotonous- track after track of straightforward rhythms and electric guitars churning out riffs over and over. As with many such instrumental "post" outfits, I find that Pelican gets stale and repetitive without an overlying melody, effectively sounding like karaoke backing tracks- why do so many such acts eschew actual songwriting?

"Glimmer" Crunchy guitars provide music that is closer to modern alternative rock than some of the other bands Pelican shares a genre with.

"The Creeper" A muffled, fuzzy guitar opens the second track, which gives way to a simplistic riff. Anyway, this is precisely what I'm referring to- the music's overall repetitiveness just begs for vocals, and ultimately, this is nothing more than what a basic and typical rock sound would be if the vocal tracks were removed- nothing more.

"Ephemeral" More grungy riffing makes for more tedious listening. Again, there's some great ideas presented here, but they need something more to make them truly effective. There is a guitar solo tucked away in the piece, but it too is repetitive and generally washed out by the other instruments.

"Specks Of Light" There's a bit more energy to this one. Though initially the piece sounds like all the rest, it eventually adopts a fast-paced bass and drum-led rhythm, with lightly distorted guitars providing a sense of slowness- quite interesting when it comes together.

"Strung Up From The Sky" Probably the most stirring and interesting piece on the album, this has some excellent opening music, followed by light guitars and a gritty bass.

"An Inch Above Sand" Yet another tedious wall of overdriven guitars, this piece may have a few interesting moments, but is quickly forgotten as soon as it is over.

"What We All Come To Need" This one has more of a 1990s alternative rock feel- one could almost hear Scott Stapp singing about being lifted up on angel's wings or something. It tries to get more sophisticated by adding more layers of instruments, but winds up sounding a mess.

"Final Breath" I feel this excellent final track justifies my previous comments. What a difference a vocalist makes! This singer has a mellow voice that kind of drags out the melody, making it a wonderful contrast between the heavier instruments and the singing. The chord progression is lovely, and in my enchantment I am duly frustrated because of what I know this album could have been.