The debut album from Oklahoma act Solomonsplendor is a raw, edgy modern rock production entitled Waters Gone By. With a sound that fits in with current rock trends, Solomonsplendor does a fair job standing on their own. While poor production quality takes away the "oomph" the rock tracks need to really come alive, this quintet ultimately knows what they're doing. The production tends to muddle a lot of the fuzzy guitars that drive the songs and end up giving the album a sort-of mid-90's rock feel. Waters Gone By sometimes offers a throwback vibe deliciously reminiscent of Reflescent Tide's 1995 self-tited debut. Other tracks like "Where I Lie" and "Feel" possess a sound more like that of Creed.

It'll be exciting to hear where Solomonsplendor is going in the near future. Hopefully the production quality won't hold the guys back so much next time around...

- Review date: 12/29/03, written by John DiBiase