Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 04/17/2007
According to the back of the album, the complete title to
1997's debut is "Since My House Burned Down I Now Own a Better View of the Rising Moon" and it's fitting for a record that retains a certain sense of bittersweet hope and optimism amid the usual quandaries of heartache felt and tears wiped away. This record is comforting, subtly uplifting, and made even more effective by the engaging interplay between vocalists
Kerri Mack and
Kevin Thomas. Their passion and poise are buoyed by a youthful enthusiasm unable to be dimmed even with lyrics of uncertainty; their voices bounce off one another, intertwining at some parts and always feeding off the other's energy. But strong voices wouldn't be so interesting without the rest of the band, and in that department,
1997 hardly slouches at all. They may be another product of Chicago's overflowing
emo scene of the early 21st century, but they're hardly interchangeable with the rest of the
Fall Out Boy spawn.
1997 love the
emo that came right before those guys --
Jimmy Eat World,
Mineral,
the Promise Ring -- with a dash of
Bob Dylan -- yet instead of simply aping their influences, the quintet uses them to organically craft their own distinct
indie rock melodies and sincere lyrics that come to life with bits of ukulele, piano, banjo and tambourine. The alternating dynamic of churning guitars and open-aired percussion that drive
"Water's Edge" is a nice change of pace from the whole singing/screaming thing so many bands rely on to create movement. The
Bright Eyes-esque
"Tennessee Song" and harmonica-laden
"The Roads You Can Take" navigate through more pastoral terrain and contain couplets like "It's true that we're young, but love is said to be ageless/The same is said of pain and desire and depression." Warm, engaging, creative and very fluidly pulled off, it's impressive how memorable this album is without even really realizing it at first, even more so considering
1997 has yet to be together even two whole years. Keep a close eye on this one;
Victory Records seems to have really found a diamond in the rough.
~Corey Apar, All Music Guide
Average Review:
Number of reviews: 2
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Curtis Goffinski
from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mos exciting debut of 2007: 1997
A Better View of the Rising Moon is an exciting debut reminiscent of 1997's extremely energetic life performance. Each track keeps you on your toes. The vocals leave you raising your head to attention only to nod it in appreciative approval. This album is also far from deficient in the melodies department. The beats and melodies will have you jumping on your bed, pounding on the steering wheel, or likewise expressing enjoyment wherever your listening venue may be. This album is new and exciting as 1997 is not afraid to blend exciting touches of folk and pop into their pop-rock/emo/indie music mossaic. Critics are raging, and not just myself! Check the overview tab if you haven't already.
5 of 5 stars. I had been heavily anticipating this release and I was in no way let down as I still have troubly deciding (and all for good reasons) eactly which track I should name my favorite. Keep an eye out for these kids, they sure know how to make music.
Valerie
from Chicago,IL
A Great CD
This is the best CD I've heard in a while these lads are gnarly! I'm glad Victory Records finally signed a band thats good and everyone will love!
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