Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Close Your Eyes, Prepackaged Hope EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Close Your Eyes
Prepackaged Hope EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Metal / Rock
Album length: 4 tracks: 15 minutes, 57 seconds
Street Date: April 19, 2014


Close Your Eyes released a top notch album, and reached new heights, in 2013 under the new leadership of Sam Ryder Robinson. No offense meant to founding vocalist Shane Raymond, but something about Robinson's addition really seemed to catapult the band. The group follows up their superb album, Line in the Sand, with a short EP. The Prepackaged Hope EP gives a 4-song sampling for fans to enjoy. The first two tracks are new additions, while the second two are acoustic versions of songs found on Line in the Sand. The EP also serves as the first appearance of new lead guitarist Bobby VaLeu, the replacement for long-time member Andrew Rodriguez.

"Chain Gang" opens the EP with a sound that would fit in perfectly with the punk stylings on Line in the Sand. If Robinson's charming accent isn't reminder enough of his British origins, lyrics such as, "There ain't nowhere like London-town I swear," and "the chain gain marches through streets of London" will surely remind you. The fast-paced punk rock anthem will even have Americans who never even left the country singing of London. "Looking Back" is another song that would've worked nicely on 2013's record. The track leans more heavily on the hardcore elements the band displays and features much more aggressive music and vocals. The first acoustic remake is "Frame and Glass," an album favorite from Line in the Sand. While the acoustic version of this song is nice, the most enjoyable track on the EP is likely the acoustic "Kings of John Payne." It's very obvious that both songs have been completely redone and not just acoustic guitars laid over old vocal recordings. The guitars, however, on "Kings of John Payne" are outstanding - especially the picked accents at the beginning.

It's exciting to get a new EP from Close Your Eyes so soon after their last album, but it's a bit sad that it's only 4 tracks. A couple extra acoustic tracks, either new songs or from Line in the Sand, would have been very welcomed. "Trends and Phases" and "My Way Home" could've translated nicely with acoustic guitar. While the EP is rather short, it's still worth picking up for any fan of the band. If nothing else, this little EP should cement the thought that Sam Ryder Robinson was the best choice to replace Shane. Definitely pick up the Prepackaged Hope EP and enjoy this unexpected addition to the Close Your Eyes discography.

- Review date: 5/1/14, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 

. Record Label: Victory Records
. Album length: 4 tracks: 15 minutes, 57 seconds
. Street Date: April 19, 2014
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Chain Gang (4:24)
  2. Looking Back (3:30)
  3. Frame and Glass (Acoustic) (3:51)
  4. Kings of John Payne (Acoustic) (4:12)

 

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH




This Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]

Next Friday, November 15, 2024
ALBUMS
Dolly Parton & Family Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables [Owepar Entertainment]
The Lore Family Faith Over Fear [Horizon]
Fernando Ortega For All the Saints - EP (independent)
Earnest Pugh Worth is the Lamb
We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) - EP [Curb]
Paul Wright III Reverie [United Alliance]

SINGLES
Big Dismal Here In My Heart - Single (independent)
Hannah Kerr It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Curb]
Olivia Lane Silent Night - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Wake Up It's Christmas - Single [BEC]
Jamie MacDonald A Million Chances - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ronnie Martin On Christmas Morning - Single [Velvet Blue]
Hunter Plake Daylight - Single [BEC]
Jordan St. Cyr Christ is Here - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Divine Discontent Vinyl [Word]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images