Search - Guster :: Easy Wonderful [Deluxe Edition]

Another great album

Maggie | MD, USA | 10/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've heard complaints that this album either doesn't sound enough like old Guster or that it sounds too much like what Guster always does.



In my opinion it doesn't sound like old Guster, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I think they've progressed and changed musically on each album, and that's something that I appreciate since who wants to listen to exactly the same thing each time.



"Do You Love Me" really is ridiculously catchy, and I like the more folky, acoustic sound of "Stay With Me Jesus" and "Hercules". I do wish they had used Adam more, though he does sing lead on "Jonah" an extra track on the Deluxe version of the album.



To those who think Guster has found religion or Christianity, I think they're missing the point. Adam, Brian, and Ryan are all Jewish for one - and (quoting from the link below) "Although some of their songs contain religious imagery (songwriter and lead singer Ryan Miller has a religious studies degree), these certainly aren't worship songs. On the contrary, their song "Two at a Time" [from a past album] is a satiric take on the Noah's Ark story, highlighting the barbarity in a tale that's often taught to children (and the point is accented by a group of children joining in the singing during parts of the song)."



And "Stay With Me Jesus", if listen more closely, is meant ironically. And the band has even said as much. It's not a Christian praise song at all.



Here's the link that discusses it:

[...]



I'm not trying to promote religion or atheism by posting the link - but I've noticed a bunch of reviews that seem like they are wondering why the band is suddenly writing Christian songs. And the answer is, they're not. As the band said on twitter, "listen harder?".



Anyway - I really do like the new album. I hope it won't be 4 years before the next one!



"