Copeland are the US equivalent to Keane. They’re much better mind, which bemuses me as to why they’re yet to make the international impact their UK bretheren have done. Still, I guess being compared to Keane is poor form enough, they’re hardly the best, nor the most exciting band in the world. Regardless, Aaron Marsh probably puts in his best vocal performance yet with falsetto aplenty on ‘You Are My Sunshine‘. His voice really is something to behold on this record. But it makes the album difficult to listen to – at times this record is impressive, at others it’s impressively dull. Marsh has the talent to take his vocals soaring above everyone else in the band – at times you can drift off to sleep. A secret weapon (or not so secret on album number…three, four…I forget), but also the man who digs their own grave.
‘Should You Return’ and ‘Chin Up’ are good little songs. Well structured, big choruses, chunky production…they are songs destined for bigger audiences. But like Keane they end up being a little overblown and warbly and Aaron’s vocals will either take you into ecstacy or agony. I’m guessing for many it will be the latter. If you like Copeland you’ll probably like this as it’s not that much of a departure from where they have been heading on the last couple of records. If not, buy it for your dad as he will almost certainly dig it.