“So Much for Substitutes”
The much-anticipated release from Canadian foursome Downhere is an ambitious follow-up to the band’s 2001 eponymous debut.
It’s tough to ascertain “So Much for Substitutes” — richness in the first few spins, but repeated listens ultimately reveal an abundance of musical diversity, lyrical depth and emotional intensity.
Sporting a wide range of influences from Coldplay to Pearl Jam to Kevin Max, Downhere offers a refreshingly eclectic sound fraught with pop-imbued praise and worship, acoustic-driven folk and straight-ahead modern rock.
No doubt some listeners will find the variegated approach irksome, but many will appreciate the spontaneity and unpredictability found here. Songs like “In America” and triumphant rocker “Feels Like Winter” make for an indelible aural and cognitive trip.
Elsewhere, buoyant track “Starspin” suggests that God’s creation should evoke a sense of worship in all of us, while aptly titled “Comatose” issues a sober warning against spiritual complacency. At the end of the day, here’s one substitute that’s well worth accepting.
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