Southern Weather (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Aaron Sprinkle (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Jeremy Enigk, Aaron Gillespie (vocals); Matt Slocum (cello); John Painter (horns).

Audio Mixers: Dan Korneff; David Bendeth; J.R. McNeely.

Recording information: Compound Studios, Seattle, WA; House Of Loud.

Photographer: Parker Young.

On this debut album by his band the Almost, Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie steps out as a front man and songwriter, exploring the many facets of pop/punk. Clearly, Gillespie values melody and dynamics; the kaleidoscopic arrangements here marry power shredding to subtle, shifting tunes, most notably on "I Mostly Copy Other People," which boasts jackhammer drumming and guitars that chime and churn in equal measure., and the ballad "Amazing Because It Is," where an intimate, almost sultry vocal turn gives way to a hair-raising multi-tracked choral effect. minimize