Honestly's second album, Ghosts of a Brilliant Past is just as good as their first, only with more swinging guitar hooks and more emotional lyrics. Following is a track by track review.
1. Answer- The first song on the album pulls you in with the line "I wanna be your silver lining, I wanna be your waking view." The power of this song alone begs you to keep listening. With a not so slow feel to it, it still captures the emotions of calling out to someone. The amazing guitar hook in the middle of the song is a terrific way to make a transition from the main part of the song, to the ending.
2. Beautiful Release- This song even begins with an amazing hook. Not to mention the lyrics in this song are the best on the album. The harmony of both guitars, the bass and the drums in the chorus gives it a feeling of being heavier than it actually is. One of the best songs on the album.
3. Another Tool- The first slow song on the album. Starts with soft strumming on an electric guitar and that all-too-familiar drum pattern that slow songs have. Lyrics on this song are top-notch. This song remains soft until the chorus where it picks up, but still keeps the effect of being a slow song. Great song. The thing abou this song is that it reminds me a lot of a song by Lifehouse. What with the lyrics and the vocals.
4. Why Won't You- Ah, the song that makes them sound as if they should have been a band like All-American Rejects. His vocals sound similar to All-American Rejects, and the guitar part sounds similar to the song "On Top of the World" by AAR. A good song, but a little too pop-punk sounding. Not like their other stuff.
5. Window- Another slow song with less boring vocals, and a bigger chorus. I think it also has a more emotional meaning to it than "Another Tool." This song was probably my favorite when I first got the album. The song is about standing up and fighting back when people try to change you. Lyrics are true and to the point. This band seems to be good at writing songs like that.
6. Stranded- This song, although lacking in the guitar hooks, has a much more U2 sounding feel to it. Although slow, it gets you into the beat of the song. A good song if you're feeling down and need to be picked up.
7. Run- The bonus track on the CD is a good one. Starts off with a piano. Soon after, vocals come in. The slowest song on the album, with only piano and vocals through out it. Somehwat depressing sounding, but the vocals in this song are bright and awe-inspiring. The vocals go from really soft and quiet, but in one instant, he can raise his voice up and make the song sound more powerful. But like the others, it keeps its effect.
All in all, this album is well deserving of being picked by a record label. But it didn't. With it's feeling of powerful guitar hooks, and slow, soft rhythms, Honestly has made a grade A album with no flaws except that they haven't been signed yet. I give this album a 10/10. Keep on rocking, Honestly.
