plateau - 19 minutes

Plateau

19 minutes
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Everything on Plateau’s latest album 19 minutes seems to be an improvement from their previous album Everything Was Sweet. The guitar riffs are more innovative, the vocal work is more infectious and the overall songwriting is better. The songwriting style is classic, almost timeless in the way the songs feel like they could be at home in a number of decades. Some of the songs like “What It Means” seem to be rooted in 90’s alternative rock while the more mellow “Leaving It Behind” feels like it could have been a product of the 60’s. In spite of this they still feel closely related, interchangeable and they display the influence Plateau has had from many generations of music. 

The album opens with “Us Against The World” utilizing some great vocals and infectious  background harmonies that propel the song. The vocal work is so good it almost overshadows the guitar work that is subtle but effective. Examples of this are the short little guitar noodling around the 1:40 mark or the even more impressive lead guitar that comes shortly after. “Leaving It Behind” is arguably the most poppy song on the album. The song is hard to dislike unless you are some pop-hating scoundrel who can't appreciate a dose of sunshine. “Fade” is another solid song while the highlight of the album is the closer entitled “Can’t You See The Sun.” The song bursts with the unbridled energy of teenager on the first day of summer. The song has a splash of innocence, nostalgia and plenty of infectious hooks that will make you put this on repeat. 

The release got me pumped up and it was nice to see a band’s sound maturing and becoming more refined. Take a listen.

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