The album opens with "Fit To Be Tied." A loud and proud sort of sound, it has an edgy county-rock feel to it. Musically, think Tim McGraw's "Indian Outlaw" — only more refined with smoother changes. The lyrics amount to a hook-filled chorus that is not really the center focus. On this one it's the instrumentation that takes center stage and it is for me the stand out track on Help Us Help You.
But diversity is the key to this album, and just because the vocals don't take center stage on one song, doesn't mean they won't on another. You only have to wait until the very next, "Cold Water Flat," to hear Sarah's beautiful yet ghostly voice take center stage. The quality is such to leave a prickle chill across your skin as she conveys not only the words but the emotions behind them. Later in the CD it's "Even Albatross Wept" that delivers a poignantly eerie sentiment. But it uses a completely different tone to do so.
If you are tired of the typical and formulaic music, or looking for something that is a step out of the box, combining sounds and pushing limits, then you should pick up a copy of this CD.
Help Us Help You is the first collection from this quartet, The Chief Smiles, and is available through CD Baby, iTunes, and Emusic. Information on The Chief Smiles can be found on their Myspace profile.
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