Copeland are lovely. They’re the kind of band I can listen to during any mood, at any time or in any place. They have a widespread appeal which could ultimately lead to commercial success, if they chose that route, without compromising their sound. Talented songwriters and musicians, their ‘Beneath Medicine Tree’ album is a modern classic – a full-on, heart-on-sleeve epic that is perfect in literally every way. True, it may be full of sappy songs that centre around a piano and Aaron Marsh’s tender falsetto vocals, but it’s a record that you can easily connect to and lose yourself.
‘In Motion’ was eagerly anticipated – the band’s covers EP whetted the apetite nicely and the pre-release MP3s sounded fantastic. But sadly this record doesn’t quite live up to my high expectations. It’s an album that sounds amazing – the level of musicianship is phenomenal and you can tell a hell of a lot of love has gone into it. But for me, the switch between the faster tempo and the slower songs disrupts the flow, so much so that the atmospherics the first record had in abundance struggle to be recreated here. Whereas ‘No One Really Wins’ is a real footstomper, a driving guitar track which showcases the band at their best, the following ‘Choose The One Who Loves You More’ sounds ill-placed. It’s a great song – they all are – but for me the selection and order of songs is a little wayward, making this record difficult to crack.
The amazing ‘Pin Your Wings’ is worth your money alone (check the acoustic version that comes on early versions of this CD as it’s even better), a song that could easily make an impact on radio, TV and everywhere else in between. It’s a song that could break the US-alternative market and superstardom would beckon. But I just don’t think there are enough anthemic choruses here – there’s something lacking, a something that I’m finding difficult to put my finger on. This is still a great record mind, far better than the majority of albums which will come out in 2005, but as a fan I expected a little more and the band haven’t quite delivered. Maybe that’s because the band set their standards so high…maybe I’m being overly critical and a little unfair?
Either way, ‘In Motion’ is a must-buy, even if it’s not quite as good as the first album. ‘Kite’ is gorgeous (again a little ill-placed), while ‘Love Is A Fast Song’ is rockier. I think the band can also be forgiven for the Keane-esque ‘Don’t Slow Down’, which is a good song, just a little like that really bad indie band. Overall, this is a fine relelase and had it been the band’s first record, I’d have no doubt been a little more complimentary. But Copeland have set their standards high and this doesn’t quite touch me in as many places as ‘Beneath Medicine Tree’ did. Still, easily worth your pennies and further proof that Copeland are one of the best bands you’ve probably not yet fallen in love with…
www.thecopelandsite.com
The Militia Group
Paul