The expanse between a freshman and sophomore album is perhaps the hardest distance for an artist to travel. The product of such a journey can delight or betray fans, and oftentimes does both. As it seems almost impossible to avoid comparing a band’s first and second bodies of work,  I approached the follow up to The Hope Trust‘s addicting debut album The Incurable Want with an equal blend of excitement and apprehension. I wasn’t disappointed, but rather fascinated by this particular milestone in the band’s evolution. The five piece from Denton, Texas was nominated for a Dallas Observer Music Award last year for “Best Alt-Country/Roots Act”, but after listening to Light Can’t Escape, I was hard-pressed to find the same dusty traces of country that were present on The Incurable Want. Whereas their first album was more low-fi and reminiscent of Tom Petty, their sophomore album is much more refined and housed in the post rock realm of Joy Division and Spoon. The band is also offering a free download of the second track “Throw Me Overboard” to BestNewBands.com readers, available via the Soundcloud link below. Be sure to check out the video of their live performance of “Don’t Let Me Down” at the bottom of the article.

THROW ME OVERBOARD-The Hope Trust by BestNewBandscom

 

While the two albums may differ in some regards, The Hope Trust‘s sophomore effort is more of an improvement on existing themes than anything else. The songs are well crafted, and the choruses are catchy enough to fit the demands of pop without being too repetitious or simple. The arrangements are a bit leaner, but the vocal and guitar effects are more present. In a sense, the band is doing more with less, and sounding tighter than ever before. It seems as if they’ve shifted their spotlight to the lead vocals, which makes sense as singer Kelly Upshaw’s voice (pictured above) is the band’s best hook. A delicate balance between gruff and heartbroken vulnerability, and it often sounds as if he’s on the brink of a carefully controlled collapse. One can’t help but hang on his every word, cheering him on as he finishes under such duress. His loneliness is both belied and hinted at by his delivery and lyrics, nowhere more present than on my favorite track “Drive to the Ocean“:

Just for a few days to learn what we knew

You look so perfect tonight under the moon

It’s times like this I know it all too soon

But on the other side of gut-wrenching emotion is a solemn cynicism that feels just as genuine. The first track “Won’t Take Much” introduces the no-nonsense outlook almost immediately, and the heavy lyrics provide a nice contrast with Kelly’s airy vocals:

You were waiting on a savior to come

There ain’t none where I come from

You can pray until your day’s done

But I suggest you just stand up

After listening to both albums extensively, it’s obvious that The Hope Trust is a band still figuring out their sound. But that’s okay, because the process is both fascinating and enjoyable to old and new fans alike. If I were forced to qualify one album with a title of ‘better’, I dont know that I could. It’s like being asked to compare your oldest scruffy jeans and your brand-new skinnys: you like both for different reasons, but one’s not necessarily ‘better’ than the other. This album definitely proves that the band is interested in continuing their journey as artists, and I can’t wait to see what direction they strike out in next. Light Can’t Escape is now available in digital form today on their Bandcamp page and will be available in physical form this Friday, February 11th. Their debut album The Incurable Want is also available for free download or purchase on their Bandcamp page. The Hope Trust will be headlining a show in Denton, Texas this Friday at Dan’s Silverleaf in conjunction with the album’s release, and they also have plans to play the 35 Conferette in their hometown in March. Stay tuned to The Hope Trust’s Facebook or Myspace page for more details on show dates and times.