Sullivan – Cover Your Eyes

Artist: Sullivan
Album: Cover Your Eyes
Label: Tooth and Nail Record
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: June 5th, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

With a style that most people would categorize probably as “Alternative Rock” I feel as if Sullivan falls into a small category which most people don’t recognize, “Vocal Rock”. Bands will be defined by a number of things but bands like My Chemical Romance and Coheed and Cambria are ones that are defined by the singer’s voice. The vocals in a sense make the band what they are. Sullivan, in my opinion, falls into the Vocal Rock category with the unique pipes that Brooks Paschal lets shine on their first, and now sophomore record “Cover Your Eyes”.

Right from the moment the record starts with the static verse, it draws you in with its lyrics that walk the melody tightrope. “F-stop” is a straight ahead “turn it up” rock song that any Sullivan fan would be right at home with. Overall “Cover Your Eyes” seems a little bit more focused than the debut album “Hey, I’m a Ghost” was. The Music and style of the songs on the album feel more like an intentional effort more than simply a collection of songs that got grouped together.

While it’s hard to fault any songs directly as “bad” songs, rather some songs simply fall victim to bad parts. “Great for my Collection” and “Dig Me Up” are ones that are OK, but simply feel like they could have been better.

“Fire Away” and “Olive Branch” are some of the stand out tracks on the record. These songs are unique and stretch the bands reach to some listeners they may not have reached before. “Olive Branch” is a perfect acoustic gem that adds a softer side to the rock album. The album closer “Fire Away” is probably the bands greatest song to date. The song begins with airy music with vocals to match. The verses lay down a firm foundation for the song to build from which it does continually and does not let up until the end.

I hate saying that this band has “matured” musically, but they really have and it shines through wonderfully on the album. Please check out some songs they’ve put up. Even if you weren’t a huge fan before Sullivan definitely deserves a second look.

Tracklisting
1 Fstop
2 Goodbye Miss Havisham
3 Tell Me I’m Wrong
4 Great For My Collection
5 Florida Queen
6 The Olive Branch
7 The Process
8 Dig Me Up
9 Israel Hands
10 Fire Away