
Has this ever occurred to anyone? When something is over "hyped," and the listener tends to shy away from the release? I mean, the release is going to be good, but it's not that good. Total opposite happened when I heard
Lydia's "
Illuminate." I found the record incredible hard to get into. Slow, moving music. The only song I could really get into was "
I Woke Up Near The Sea," where vocalist Leighton Antelman showed off some amazing lyrical work.

Well, recently I've threw out my modest opinion and listened to the record. The hype issue might have been worthy.
Illuminate is slowly ranking as one of my favorites of 2008. The combination of Antelman and female vocalist Mindy White is stunning. Her piano keys flourish within each others voices. The opening track "
This Is Twice Now" reminds me of similar times. Remember when
Copeland released
Eat, Sleep, Repeat? The same feeling when I listened to that. It remind me of my favorite song "
Love Affair," where Marsh is at his best. Even Aaron Marsh makes an appearance on this record on "
Hospital." This record is for real.
Lyrics to "This Is Twice Now"
Baby, just ask once more Because I saw your door wide open But the floor is still freezing Hailey, I was sick and I'm still quite unwell Tell me it's you or nothing at all I stole your soul Because you said I’d never be able But all the whole world is still on my string Second time now and you’ve done this before Drive around the back so I can’t see them But you’re still freezing Let me take your coat and your keys and this car Because I’ve been unwell far too long now I stole your soul Because you said I’d never be able But all the whole world is still on my string But all the whole world is still on my string It’s never much when I sing about youBelow, I've posted a few acoustic tracks recently performed for
AbsolutePunk.net. It includes a
Counting Crows cover. I've also posted a neat violin version of "
This Is Twice Now," where a YouTube user did her rendition by adding her personal violin track. Listen, love, spread.
Track list:Absolute Punk Exclusive Video1. Holiday In Spain (Counting Crows Acoustic Cover)
2. I Woke Up Near The Sea (Acousitc)
3. Stay Awake (Acoustic)
4. This Is Twice Now (Acoustic)
Download HereThis Is Twice Now (Violin Version) [MP3]