CD Review: Copeland's "You Are My Sunshine"

By: Mike Rincon

Posted: 10/6/08

Even substance can have an exhilarating side. Hailing from Lakeland, Fla., indie-pop quintet Copeland have been constructing a warm blend of soothing and beautifully orchestrated music since forming in 2000. From its stunningly pensive debut, "Beneath Medicine Tree" in 2003 to their slightly edgier follow-up in 2005, "In Motion," and its intricate third album a year later, "Eat, Sleep, Repeat," Copeland never ceases to raise its artistic bar.

On its latest effort and debut on the band's new label, "You Are My Sunshine," Copeland - Aaron Marsh (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, mellotron), Bryan Laurenson (guitar, backing vocals), Stephan Laurenson (guitar) and Jonathan Bucklew (drums) - expand its creativity to make an album of 11 lush sounding tracks.

The album opens with "Should You Return," a number that displays Marsh's sweet vocal and soft singing while a moderate sounding piano plays in the background. After 28 seconds, spot-on drumming and a light electric guitar strum set the pace for the rest of the song. This should surely be a fan favorite.

The album's first single, "The Grey Man," is track two and it follows a similar formula as "Should You Return," with the beginning revealing Marsh's croon and a simple piano melody. "By the time you find your way, you're gonna run right back to the start," he sings in the chorus before ending with, "And when you finally think it's gone, you're gonna run right back to her arms." It also features a bridge draped in Marsh's falsetto that carries the song to grieving, emotional depths.

Songs like the upbeat and sunny, "Good Morning Fire Eater," display a different sensibility, one that strays away from the overall tone of the album. But it's definitely a positive difference partly due to the infusion of bombastic drumming from Bucklew, light cello playing, a synthesizer line that compliments the songs harmony and subtle xylophone touches.

"Not Allowed" showcases a shiny piano solo that's both glossy and easy on the ears. Marsh declares, "Here we go, I'll smile for you now, cause you're sad. But I'm not allowed to be sad." It's a romantically redundant line that seems to be fitting.

It's not until track seven that "You Are My Sunshine" has its most lyrically brilliant moment. "On The Safest Ledge," begins with a touching piano line and a steady drum beat, before the sound cuts off and the spotlight is momentarily on Marsh's voice as he delivers the album's most graceful lyrics, "Don't look ahead, just run to me. Each step will find the next one, recklessly. We'll find ourselves on the safest ledge. Well pardon me, I couldn't help myself. We'll fall into your life here. If falling for awhile, well, I'm here."

However, there are a few mediocre songs on this album. "Chin Up," which was a demo released on a B-sides album, "Dressed Up and In Line (2007)," is re-released and the results are less then satisfying. The simplistic and organic feeling of the original holds up stronger than the re-worked version on "You Are My Sunshine." Though with more instrumentation, Marsh's dramatic vocal range is shortened by the overall production.

Tracks like "Strange and Unprepared," offer nothing new or exciting and are easy to forget after the first listen when compared to the album's other noteworthy songs. "Not So Tough Found Out," is perhaps Copeland's most ambitious effort ever, with the song being over 10 minutes long. It still doesn't break any new ground within the Copeland realm and it has mostly the same ingredients as "Strange and Unprepared."

Overall, Copeland furthers its musical talents with "You Are My Sunshine," a journey through miles of sophistication and an album perfect for the fall season. It'll make you want to dim the lights and be alone with the one you love; snuggling underneath a blanket while being perfectly aware and content that your player is set on repeat.