Review: Southern Weather - the Almost

The annals of music history are filled with tales of band members who decided to try their hand at the solo gig. Oftentimes it's the lead singer who, desiring to share their "creative vision" more, ventures out and sometimes strikes gold. Less often have we seen band members more known for their instrumental prowess dare such a walk. Yet, some have traveled that road and done so with great results. Both Pete Yorn and Dave Grohl began their careers behind drum kits but have stepped into the limelight as compelling frontmen. Admittedly inspired by Grohl's influence, Aaron Gillespie, UnderOath's ginger-haired drummer, has offered up his first solo offering with Southern Weather, under the band heading of The Almost.

Essentially Southern Weather came to be due to Gillespie's need to stay busy and his desire to put something out that was a little more straight rock than the metalcore UnderOath is traditionally known for. Time between recording the drum and vocal parts for UnderOath's last album provided Gillespie with a plethora of opportunity to sit down and work out some of his own tunes and, finding that they wouldn't fit the new album's format, at the urging of his wife he decided to try and pursue a solo gig on the side. Gillespie landed Tooth and Nail mainstay Aaron Sprinkle as producer and was off to the races.

Perhaps the most compelling point of the album is that Gillespie essentially shoulders all the weight here, from songwriting to performing nearly every instrument. With but a few exceptions, this is Gillespie's show and he makes the most of it. The songs flow together well and are far more accessible than that of his work with UnderOath. Perhaps it's this accessibility that has seen the Alternative Press declare Southern Weather "one of the most anticipated releases of 2007." And it's anticipation that pays off.

The album opens with the shuffling drumbeats of "Say This Sooner", which bursts into a full-fledged rocker as "Drive There Now" offers more of the same. "I Mostly Copy Other People" features the talent of The Starting Line's Kenny Vasoli on bass and guest vocals. Vasoli also helps out on the melodic "Southern Weather". "Stop It" continues the pace while "Everyone Here Smells Like a Rat" sounds like something out of the Relient K catalog. Gillespie gets some assistance from former Sunny Day Real Estate lead, Jeremy Enigk, on "Never Say 'I Told You So'" as "Call Back When I'm Honest" and "Everything That Makes Me Sick" close out the album on a high note.

Two tracks stand out in particular here, primarily due to their forthcoming basis of faith, which is not always a popular topic in mainstream music. Yet, Gillespie manages to make his faith accessible and listenable at the same time. "Dirty and Left Out" is a sinner's lament, the protagonist questioning God's grace and forgiveness. Gillespie even calls on the songwriting of none other than Bill Gaither's "Something About that Name" which provides the track with a lovely, lilting bridge. "Amazing Because it Is" is the second track that finds faith taking a front seat as again Gillespie admits that he is nothing without his Savior. Utilizing the first verse of the classic "Amazing Grace" only develops the plea further as John Painter adds some compelling horns backed by a youth choir that fully realizes the message.

Not all departures or breaks from initial acts have ended in the success that many have desired. Some rise and some fall. Yet Aaron Gillespie and his side project, The Almost, seem to be one that is destined to rise. With a highly accessible and radio-friendly sound, let's hope we're hearing more from The Almost in the future.