Tether the Star was a new discovery for me and their new album “Hold the Line” gave me a real reason to stay and listen. One track led to another, and I spent the whole evening playing their music over and over, so I decided to write about them.
This release is the Seattle trio’s first full length album with 11 songs shaped by a sound that can be heavy without losing its melodic side. The vocal melodies have a haunting quality and the guitars and drums give the music so much weight. I enjoyed the other instruments and details, too. The variety is good and the piano parts were a pleasure to hear.
Lanahan’s voice was a big part of why I stayed with the album. She has a charming, pure tone and her delivery held my attention across the songs. I enjoyed listening to her as the arrangements shifted around her voice instead of sticking to one sound. The heavier moments keep things from becoming too gentle.
There is a sense of passion and skill in the playing. The instrumentation has been put together with care and the production choices suit the songs without getting in the way. I like that the album offers different details to enjoy rather than repeating the same idea eleven times.
This was a good first introduction to Tether the Star. I came in knowing nothing about them and ended the evening wanting to hear more. This album is a good listen and I’m very happy I gave it my time.
