Guster

VIMTV Episode #202: Guster – Easy Wonderful

Jake: Recommended, 68/100

Tom: Recommended, 70/100

Overview: Guster made their sound a little brighter and poppier for this album. That side of them has pretty much always been present on their albums, but here they focused more on it throughout the entire album rather than just in spots. Other than that, the only big difference is the occasional religious themes, which will be a very polarizing factor for people. Whether you enjoy that or not, it does distract the listener from focusing on the music itself and for that reason isn’t entirely a desirable move for a band that doesn’t directly claim to be a Christian group. Regardless, Easy Wonderful is a good collection of songs, but it does have its clear high and low points.

Recommended Similar Artists: Counting Crows, Death Cab for Cutie, Panic At The Disco (Pretty. Odd.)

Jake’s Track Picks:

4. This Could All Be Yours Someday
8. What You Call Love
11. Hercules

Tom’s Track Picks:

1. Architects & Engineers
2. Do You Love Me?
3. On The Ocean

VIMTV Research Links:

“Do You Love Me” Music Video:

“Hercules” Music Video:

“Stay With Me Jesus” Video:

VIMTV Episode #46: Guster – Keep It Together

Jake: Recommended, 85/100

Tom: Recommended, 86/100

Overview: When it comes down to it, this album isn’t going to change the world. It’s somewhat simple and doesn’t have too much depth to speak of, but damn are these songs good! “Keep It Together” oozes charm and good times, and moves from sentimental, reminiscing moods to fun rock tunes flawlessly. The congas thicken up the sound a lot, and the production overall isn’t minimal but isn’t over the top. The separation of the last track with the track of silence, however, doesn’t seem to have much of a point. Jake and Tom have trouble determining which track is really supposed to act as the closer of the album.

Recommended Similar Artists: Counting Crows, Death Cab for Cutie, Panic At The Disco (Pretty. Odd.), The National

Jake’s Track Picks: