Review by Ryan Getz

Review requests for IATU can really be a grab bag sometimes. And sometimes, it is good to come across a straightforward rock record. In the case of Unifier’s Colorado, this more of an emo-influenced alternative, but it is nonetheless pretty easy to swallow. Easy enough that more should like the band. The easy-to-digest aspect of Unifier’s music could make them explode or get dismissed as another cookie cutter band. Time will tell, but I dig their sound – it needs to mature a tad, but Colorado is solid. Solid enough to warrant a review, at least.

Aslan Freeman has an interesting voice – I am reminded of Jason Roy of Building 429 (the Christian Contemporary worship turned dance-rock group – look ’em up if you’re curious). This also the first time I’ve seen this name outside the context of a certain C.S. Lewis fantasy series, but I digress. The band’s overall sound is like a blend of Number One Gun and Jimmy Eat World. There’s a sense of familiarity that pervades the instrumentation of the whole record, making it hard to review. Emotionally, I’m in the same place much of the time. But this isn’t a bad thing. Unifier have found their niche (after being forced to change their name from Future Ghosts) and it is a good place for them to be.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx143rbGTwY&h=297&w=450]

As is the case with many bands in this genre, lyrics are the carrying point of songs where you’ll find depth. “Crush” is a great album opener, with Freeman declaring “I’m not prey / to be tamed” right off the bat. Title track “Colorado” has a reassuring vibe throughout with lines like “Taking your time / to dig it up / and come back to life / Get back in line / You’ll be alright / We were alright.”

If you’re ok with a pervading sense of deja-vu, you should buy this record. If you’re an emo/alternative fan looking for new finds, you should buy this record. As for my opinion, I like this record. I want to love it, but I’m not sure I do. But, sometimes liking it is enough to suffice for a recommendation.

Score: 3/5

Unifier: Facebook | iTunes