ROAD SALT ONE

Hearing this album for the first time was a bit of a shock for me. The shock came from the fact that I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Also, the production of the album is so raw. It just threw me for a loop. After a few more listens, it started to pick and choose my favorite tracks, as usual. Once I had heard it about the fourth time, the album started to blend a lot more and I found myself having a hard time disliking any of the songs. That being said, compared to the rest of POS's discography, Road Salt is a much more song oriented album rather than album oriented album if you know what I mean. Well, now I have heard it probably ten times or so all the way through. There are a couple of songs I don't appreciate as much as the others, but I do not skip them or lose interest. They are simply not quite as good overall. Here is my ranking of the songs from my favorite to least favorite.

1. "Sisters" 2. "Where it Hurts" 3. "Innocence" 4. "Linoleum" 5. "No Way" 6. "Sleeping Under the Stars" 7. "Of Dust" 8. "Road Salt" 9. "Darkness of Mine" 10. "She Likes to Hide" 11. "Tell Me You Don't Know" 12. "What She Means to Me" 13. "Curiosity"

The style of Road Salt is really laid back. Not laid back tempo-wise, but just the feel of it. Most of the songs are pretty simple and straight forward, with a few exceptions. In its simplicity, though, this album has some really intricate parts if you pay close enough attention. Some of the lyrics are kind of cheesy, but they can be overlooked. The standout track is definitely "Sisters." This is a beautiful ballad, with great melody and meloncholy. This and a few other songs alone make it worth the money I paid for the Road Salt. If you feel discouraged at first, remember this album is a grower and may require many listens to appreciate. Umm, what else? I'm sure there is more to say, but I'll just leave you with words from Daniel Gildenlow. Daniel writes, "Road Salt one. Twelve tracks of sweaty gravel, asphalt butterflies, untrodden paths and brave decisions. It will not beg for your liking, it will not make excuses, it will not carry you safely across the dangerous waters. If you don't pick up its pace it will leave you stranded at the curb of the road. Yes, Road Salt One might indeed be a harsh lover, but if you have the guts to follow it whole-heartedly and dare to surrender to its rhythm, it will take you places you need to visit."