Album Review

The Dangerous Summer – Reach For The Sun

• 24th Mar 2010

The Dangerous Summer; Reach For The Sun (Hopeless Records, 12/04/2010)

Building on from a double whammy of expansive EPs, feral rocking, emo skirting and bristling Baltimore quartet, The Dangerous Summer unleashes a striding and expressive debut album.

Right from the off with ‘Where I want To Be ‘, inner searching and trundling riffs sets out their recipe for a broth of rhythm and honesty:

‘I’m Learning now that I was wrong in everything and, there’s a reason why I think I can grow. It’s really not that bad.”

‘Weathered’’, bears out youthful abandon through that old reliable platform of a power ballad. Austere, percussive rattling is provided by courtesy of Tyler Minsberg. It releases energy and given direction, so that AJ Perdomo can put in a pleading performance. He draws attention to the power that significant others have to leave you feeling hopeless. His manner switches swiftly from one of acceptance, then he gives in to paranoia, making a striking impact, underlining the genuine nature of the band.

A one-dimensional high school rock lapse occurs in ‘Symmetry’. It’s honest enough, but to be honest, it lacks any real belief or heart and sinks just a little into a sappy pit.
However, as expected from this band of promise. They soon return to a sturdy platform of well threaded, self delving that features a soaring indie streak, ‘Surfaced’. Bemusement and a hint of desperation are borne out and the guys come across as endearing and believable.

‘Reach For The Sun’, possesses a yearning backdrop to aid the reflective nature of the material and the low-key, yet hearty vocal display from Perdomo. There is also some Minor League philosophising on show that wretches out further the sincerity of this teetering troupe. In ‘The Permanent Rain’, a rhythmic, bemused stomp highlights another radio friendly effort, joining the list of tunes that will raise the band’s profile.

Some soaring emo skirting is given way to ‘This Is War’, as a dose of morbid self-pitying is espoused, but it is done in such a deft mood-building way that it doesn’t come across as too self-indulgent.

The odd blip aside, The Dangerous Summer have produced a debut full length that will get them noticed and give them impetus, from which to build up a searching musical career.