CD Review: For The Rest Of Us - Telescope

A lot of new music gets by on just being new - for about two or three listens. And then it fades away. The best thing about these guys, the band Telescope, compared to others, is their sincerity. Lead singer Seth Holland drives crackling sincerity through every word and the musicians emphasize the erupting emotions.

The 10-track album, For The Rest Of Us — download it free for the moment — is packed with self-described power pop. Think Candlebox, or a hugely more meaningful, less cheesy, Hootie & The Blowfish. Or a talented, cringeless Jonas Brothers.

Overall, Telescope's music is lighter melodic rock rather than the heavy side of things. I'm not sure if they amp it all up live, but if they do, the songs have the strength for different interpretations.

Their most popular tune, "Stormy Weather," brings to mind the mid-90s band, Live. The song is a very mellow, bare-boned production that naturally brings the lyrics and what's being said into focus.

From my, admittedly limited, foraging around their various online locations, "Stormy Weather" also seems to encapsulate the mindset of the band. Here's the band's philosophy, as noted on a recent blog post:

There are countless numbers of other people out there doing the exact same thing we are. Doing the best they can, maybe just scraping by, and struggling through the hardships that it takes to create, all for the sake of attempting to make the world feel something, even if only for moments at a time. Those moments are ultimately why we do what we do.

So, the Flagstaff foursome aren't spending all their time trying to be something hugely different. While "being different" is a more than admirable goal, it can have tragic consequences if that difference includes not being musically appealing whatsoever.

"Sideline Suicide" is timeless, could be from mid-70s to anytime after. Though the subject matter may not indicate it, this one's the most catchy, the most sing-along.

"Breaking Into Spring," with soaring vocals at times, is another that delivers more questions, more exploration, than answers — "Is anybody in there listening?" But music, when it seeks meaning, is about exploring and exploiting mysteries.

It, too, is hopeful.

Clearly there's a lot of emphasis and effort on lyrics; there's a desire to say something. Telescope has a big-picture vision.

I have been morally deficient in listening to new music in the last few months. Contributing factors and all that. So, when someone ups and offers their album for free, well. And when they happen to announce they're holding a free concert at a place I can easily get to, Tempe, Arizona, about 20 miles away from me, l get all juicy about freedom. The concert is Aug. 15 (Friday) at Tempe Marketplace, starting at 7 p.m.

The timing is perfect. A lot of these songs - "Look At You Now", "Shine on Me", "Trying" - it seems, would be perfect listening as the sun goes down on a hot day.

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Band members:
Seth Holland - Vocals, guitars
Mike Seitz - Guitar, vocals, keyboards
Jason Holland - Bass
Seth Johnson - Drums

MS: myspace.com/telescopemusic

WS: telescopeband.com

Label: Skyrocket Entertainment