Two
Two makes Earshot's heavy rock clear and accessible. The guitars have weight, the drums give the songs a firm foundation, and Will Martin's voice brings melody into the darker setting. The second album contains several effective moments, but it remains uneven. Strong performances and a solid production cannot always give familiar writing a distinct personality.
Wait provides a direct opening through a forceful riff and a clear chorus. It establishes the band's sound quickly, though repetition begins to reduce its impact before the song ends. Someone gives Martin another chance to lead the arrangement. His held notes are impressive, but the surrounding instrumental ideas make less of a lasting impression.
Rotten Inside finds a better balance. Its opening effects give the guitar a different entrance, while the movement between verse and chorus allows more melody into the playing. The song still repeats its strongest ideas for too long, yet those ideas have enough character to make it one of the more engaging passages.
The middle of the record offers useful changes. Down makes the difference between lead and rhythm guitar clearer, giving its faster approach more movement. Nice to Feel the Sun allows the bass groove and a more patient introduction to establish a different mood. These songs show how the band can add interest without making the music difficult to follow.
Martin's singing remains an asset, even when its resemblance to more familiar alternative-metal voices draws attention away from the songs themselves. The larger weakness is how often the arrangements follow predictable routes from quieter verses to louder choruses. Several tracks are capable without giving the listener much reason to distinguish one from another.
Control gives the album a stronger finish. Its quick pace, prominent bass and brief acoustic change in the middle add variety around a memorable guitar part. It is an effective reminder of what Earshot can achieve when the individual details contribute to a complete song. Two has enough hooks and energy to satisfy fans of melodic heavy rock, but its strongest moments deserve a more consistently distinctive record around them.
