This album won't be fading away

Friendships Often Fade Away\nAudio Learning Center\nVagrant Records\nFriendships Often Fade Away, the debut album from Audio Learning Center is exactly what I thought it would be: A great indie rock record by a group of fine musicians with plenty of experience, featuring vocalist/bassist Chris Brady formerly of Pond and guitarist Steven Birch of Sparkler. The musicians here all have unique, creative styles of play that mesh well together. Brady's bass plays as if it were the lead instrument. All in all, the album has a very laid-back feel to it. \nThe majority of the tracks here have the same structure and they all seem to clock in at about five or six minutes. But the formula works here. The tracks might have similar makeup but they all are original and fresh, not repetitive. Slower verses followed by melodic, catchy choruses sprinkled with Brady's heartfelt singing dominate this album.\nBrady\'s vocals and lyrics are really what makes this album good. Lyrical themes such as despair, anger, hate and personal loss are exemplified on "The Shell," as he sings, "Built from pains and fears that I've collected over the years," and again on "Hand Me Downs" with "All the things I hate in you I recently found in me." This along with Brady's brutally honest vocals make you feel like you are hearing a man who is truly putting his heart and soul into his music. The album starts out great and loses some steam towards the end.\nBut he still finishes strong. The highlight tracks here are the catchy opener, "The Shell," which sounds frighteningly similar to Ben Folds, the more up-tempo rocker "Favorite" and "If You Choose," a laid back tune showcasing Brady's excellent vocals. But not enough can be said of the standout track "Hand Me Downs." With a dreamy guitar line, and Brady's relaxed singing this track builds suspense through the verse and explodes into a catchy-as-hell chorus that leaves you longing for more. Overall, anyone who enjoys an honest rock record should definitely pick up this album. \nAudio Learning Center unquestionably have are headed in the right direction, and with the support of the powerful indie-label Vagrant, Audio Learning Center should certainly flourish in the future.\n

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