Jessica T. (jessicatok) from LINCOLN, NE Reviewed on 4/21/2007...
Fantastic follow-up to their initial album. Solid rock, powerful vocals, should have been much more noticed!
CD Reviews
Simply put, the finest record of 2002
09/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Splender's "Halfway Down The Sky" is easily one of the most underrated and underappreciated albums of the modern era. While they did manage some minor success with "I Think God Can Explain" and "Yeah, Whatever", but Splender still exists as a relative unknown. Still, there's no doubt in my mind that "Halfway" is a masterpiece and one of the best current examples of what rock music can be in today's era of nu-metal."To Whom It May Concern" is Splender's 2nd release and first under new label J Records. I've had a pre-release copy of "Whom" since early August (but still will get the release version for support's sake) and have put many hours into listening, and only one thing keeps playing in my mind - this record is outstanding. From the very first riff on the opener "Happier This Way", you can tell the record is going to be special. And it is. With standout tracks like "Happier", "But, Anyway", "Here I Am, There You Go", "No Big Deal" (the loudest song Splender has ever done), and the 1st single "Save It For Later." However, the truth is all 10 tracks on "Whom" are simply outstanding, with not a bad song in the bunch, very similar to the 13-13 effort on "Halfway". The record is unfortunately short, clocking in at around 40 minutes, but the 40 minutes contained within are 10 times better than 90% of the music put out today.Waymon Boone's voice is outstanding as always, even more emotional than before, getting across the dark, self-depreciating lyrics penned to outstanding musical effort. Splender has talent, no question about it - way more talent than most bands in their respective musical genre.To sum it up, don't "Save It For Later", instead run out to your local record store and buy Splender's "To Whom It May Concern" - the dead-on album of the year. While you're at it, pick up "Halfway Down The Sky" if you haven't already and prepare for 23 tracks of pure rock & roll bliss. Forget supporing mediocre bands like Creed and Nickelback and support Splender - a band that actually deserves to be one of the most popular in the world."
Splender fans read this
freak420 | philly | 04/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"People waiting for a new splender cd can somewhat rejoice. Waymon Boone the singer is in a new band called Headrush. Their album will be relesed in June 2005 on Digital Musicworks International, a digital only label. check them out on purevolume."
TOTALLY Underestimated band
M. Braman | Olathe, KS United States | 06/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is by far the most talented song writing group to emerge from the crap being put out by the major labels in at least the last 8 years. Songs are well crafted, melodic, memorable, thoughtful, and the production is flawless. Raw energy mixed with control and finesse. You will not be disappointed in this album or the debut, which was also excellent. These guys should have been huge and returned the music industry to profitability and respectability. Unfortunately, the band got little support. This is the direction music should be moving in."
They`ve almost done it again!
unprofessional | Norway | 09/25/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After listening to "Halfway down the Sky", I just couldn`t wait for Splender to release another album. It`s always hard to follow up a superb first release, but I really think they have managed to create a classic yet again! I rate this album as a a very strong four-star.Their first single from this album was "Save it for Later", which in my opinion is perhaps the weakest track on the entire album. Don`t get me wrong, it is still an ok song. But other songs like "But, Anyway" and the opening track "Happier this Way" is almost magical. Splender has matured from writing rather melancholic songs, into more edgier rock, an appropriate term would be "songs with an attitude". Just listen to "The Loneliest Person I Know"....wow, such sad lyrics, but with such a "happy" melody, it`s just great! That kinda runs through the entire new album....they are "Happier this Way"!!!"