Review: New Sense - Flowers Before Hours (or) what milwaukee isn't famous for

Posted on 7 January 2006 | 3 Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Pop

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Milwaukee’s New Sense is making some of the loveliest pop-rock music I’ve heard in quite some time. These Midwesterners released a self-titled EP a few years back that fell right in line with the sounds of the Postal Service’s breakout hit Give Up, but have since added more live drums and louder guitars and moved past those comparisons and into something new.

Comprised of two former members (Ryan Weber and William Seidel) of the great band Camden (they also played on the Promise Ring’s final album Wood/Water and are currently members of Decibully) as well as a bassist that was formerly in Paris Texas, New Sense (surprisingly or not) sounds pretty radio-friendly without being predictable or generic.

They use soaring synth lines alongside breathy weightless vocals to carry the melodic load. There is bouncy bass and biting choppy guitars to propel these tunes. But it is William Seidel’s vocals that are a huge part of this band’s sound. They remind me of a smoother Simply Red with a killer falsetto. Yeah, describing their music and making comparisons is a bit dangerous. They are better than my words can describe them. If I said that they combine the poppy sounds of 80’s groups like Tears For Fears with a twist of Maroon 5-esqe pop and wrap it all up in a blanket of shoegazing indie emo-rock what would you say?

Their latest record Flowers Before Hours is out now on Brilliante Records and is totally good. My wife (who is now officially an MP3 blogger) likes them as well.

MP3 | New Sense – What If I Get Sick Flowers Before Hours
MP3 | New Sense – Sticks And Stones Flowers Before Hours

Comments

1 Mary - 1048 days ago Hello!

Thanks for your comment. I'm very far from the quality of your blogs.
I would say: you rock!
The main intention is to show the sleeve artwork of the records, which I think is very important. Of course the quality of music too.

What do you think of Tim Buckley's "Goddbye And Hello"?

2 uwmryan - 1047 days ago This has nothing to do with the band, but I absolutely LOVE your banner. That is so amazing.

3 Eric - 1046 days ago Thanks Ryan. It is a photo I took almost two years ago of the Tetons in Wyoming.