Firstly, it must be said, this a band that are far from fashionable. Musically they are hugely dated, and have a sound that harks back to the melodic AOR of the 80's. But, please, keep reading: what they do, they do very well. Rock music is so often entangled in a web of lyrical self-pity and obsessive navel-gazing, and Messenger are clearly a band with no interest in either.
Instead the focus here is on melody and simple, catchy songs. Major chords are used aplenty and there are choruses that truly stick, though you might not realise it until you've finished the record. After a few listens through to the record I can safely say there is nothing especially new here, but there's still some impressive pop songwriting and a self-assurance often missing in modern guitar music.
Strange reverb on the vocals aside, this is a solid album and while some will slate it, I'm proud to say I rate it.
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