Discover America - Future Paths (2010)

This is the second album from a guy named Chris Staples under the moniker "Discover America." It's a pretty basic album as far as indie pop goes, dominated by the guitar which is high in the mix and somewhat versatile, shifting between thick distortion ("Devil in the Woods"), gentle strumming ("1979," "Brighton Beach") and sweet chiming melodies ("Force the Proper Wind," "A Lock of Samson's Hair"). Unfortunately the guitars are the source of pretty much all the variation on this album, as the other elements contribute relatively little of value. Staples' voice is mid-range and breathy, often lacking the emotional content one might expect when he's singing over an especially beautiful guitar melody, or else singing about his struggles (as he does often). His guitar is really the source of the record's tone. The disconnect between the vocal performance and the instrumental soundscape is palpable but doesn't totally ruin the album. These songs are generally very catchy, and at its highest points, the album is a pleasant, whistful journey through Staples' thoughts. He seems to have a penchant for country, as evidenced on songs like "1979," which would fit very comfortably alongside whatever's on the country radio charts these days if it weren't for the vocals being decidedly un-country. Many of his guitar melodies feel like they were lifted out of some old country tune as well, which isn't a bad thing. I hope, next time around, he releases something with a bit more variety, performed with more conviction.

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