Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else (2014)

This Cleveland-based band is back, after their wonderful 2012 release, Attack on Memory. Compared to that album, they've made a couple of steps forwards and a couple of steps backwards. For example, on the positive side, they've tailored the music more towards singer-songwriter-guitarist Dylan Baldi's vocal range, losing some of the raw nature of his vocals (and their sound). However, on the negative side, they've tailored the music more towards singer-songwriter-guitarist Dylan Baldi's vocal range, losing some of the raw nature of his vocals (and their sound). It's a yin and a yang here.

But ultimately what's missing here is depth -- depth of great songs, depth of musical arrangements, and depth in terms of sonic variety. While Attack on Memory had great moments and a solid group of surrounding songs, Here and Nowhere Else doesn't really have a single song that matches with the top four songs on Attack. I think they really miss second guitarist Joe Boyer, who is can't leave the state of Ohio for "undisclosed legal reasons." From a practical perspective, this means a lack of two guitar and/or keyboard interplay, leaving most of the sound bunching up right in the middle. It's a little too muddy, without enough separation.

Cloud Nothings - "Now Hear In"

It's still a very good, very solid album. It just needs more tonal separation across the board.

CD Placement Rating:  Portable CD Player.

- Snilch