Liquid Gang's Lava/Atlantic debut album "Sunshine", represents a drastic change from the sound that was included within their previous indie releases, but those who have followed the band closely over the past few years will know that they are no strangers to a shade of re-invention with each release as they have kept a consistent pace of pushing themselves to new limits throughout the handful of years they've been performing. The sound that permeates from this release is thick with a hard rock sensibility and completely abandons the rapcore stylings they once dipped themselves deep within. Sounding like a cross between Creed, Nickelback and Alice In Chains combined with a nu metal edge, the band nails each number out with a polished feel and obtrusive song structures that are all but guaranteed to tap into the open minded hard rock crowd. Vocally, a medium pitched voice that growls with integrity streams out words with a serene rhythmic quality, serving up self reflective lyrics while punching through with impressive backing vocals and a verbal tone that hits home with an honest passion. Drawn out wails and shadowy echoes are utilized to expand the sound, but perhaps the most interesting aspect about the oral performance captured here, is that although it's layered heavily on top of the music, it manages to avoid being overtly smothering or detract from the instrumental foundation present. Guitars are highlighted with warm riffs that are cloaked in an edgy distortion that drives home the choruses while still having enough free reign and technical expertise to venture off into clean toned plucking and acoustic jaunts that add the ever necessary extra dimensions. Bass is quite reliant upon the guitar work and although it rarely steps out into its own, its place is filled competently as slightly downtuned basslines growl out their piece and leave their mark with a focused intensity. Drums throb with a solid tuning and tight snare work that leaves little to be desired as the beats are consistently kept in check with cleverly placed hits that ring out steadily, providing motion. Although not quite exotic or expressive, the percussive element included within this disc still has a distinguishable heart to it and shows that sometimes less is more. There's a tiny bit of programming present, along with a tribal percussion spiel now and then to modernize things which strives to keep them more eclectic than their contemporary counterparts and with the subtle nature that both elements are incorporated in with, the end result pays off well. There's a few noticeable growing pains that can surface throughout the CD from time to time and although the music is extraordinarily dense and environmental, there's a few moments when they can seem a bit uncomfortable with what they are doing. Another thing that could bite the band later down the line is the change of style represented on this release, although it is seemingly for the better, the group has already built up a solid fanbase with their audiences being accustomed to their rapcore sound, and with that phase now being almost completely wiped out, only time will tell if the existing fans will make the jump over or look to something else. This groups strength lies within their ability to create entrancing songs that are almost limitless in depth and hooky in ideals. Although the music isn't exactly groundbreaking, when looked at from the surface, once the CD spins through a few tracks, its hard to resist not being sucked into to its seductively catchy choruses and solid musicianmanship. Liquid Gang's rays of sunshine break through unexpectedly while listening to this effort which reinforces the reputation of the bands ability to effortlessly re-tool their sound like liquid filling an odd shaped container, and judging by the strength of the material contained on this debut, it's almost a no brainer that the album is likely to ignite on hard rock radio stations across the nation.
(4 / 5)