Capsule Review: Straylight Run's The Needles The Space
Straylight Run The Needles The Space (Universal Republic)
The boys in Straylight Run get all growed up and once-and-for-all shake off any emo-core blow-back leftover from their days in Taking Back Sunday. It’s clear now on their second full-length that ex-TBSers John Nolan and Shaun Cooper, along with Michelle DaRosa and Will Noon, have traded up for triumphant piano builds, layered multi-sex choruses and intelligent vocals. Instead of staying in the realm of what is a tired norm in the modern rock scene, Straylight Run do a fairly good job of attempting to travel through less-worn avenues. The glue that binds all the marching band percussion, horns, mandolin, female vocals reminiscent of early Gwen Stefani and songs about politics and exotic dancers on The Needles The Space is the impassioned dual-vox choruses. Removal of the screaming and bringing in the sultry poise of a female vocalist has helped a lot.
