Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

JFH Music Review




The Normals
A Place Where You Belong



Album length: 11 tracks: 50 minutes, 43 seconds
Street Date: February 26, 2002


After two albums many bands try to either reinvent themselves or stick to the same style as their previous two. A Place Where You Belong is somewhere in the middle for The Normals. It is very similar in some respects to their 2000 release Coming to Life, but is in no way a carbon copy of it.

While the album has a very laid back and sometimes depressing feel, it has some very strong messages lyrically. They have the kinds of lyrics that really make you think about life and what's important. They tackle many of the hard topics, such as the lost innocence of people today in the song "Innocence," and vanity and loneliness in the song "Happiness."

"I'll Be Home Soon" starts the album off on a rather somber-yet-hopeful note, as a song about finding your way home in this world. Things pick up a little with their next song "Romeo on the Radio," a song about finding love with that special someone. My favorite song, both musically and lyrically, would be "Less Than Love," one of their more upbeat songs about finding "the one" and how special and unmistakable it is once you've found them. The common theme throughout the song is not settling for just anyone even though it's a lonely world out there.

The songs generally blend together well, and for the most part don't have that monotonous feeling of repetition that's so present in many other albums today. Just like in their previous album, lead singer Andrew Osenga's vocals sound a bit strained, but overall I enjoy the quality of his voice although it took a few listens to get used to. Their choices of instruments are quite fascinating, as well. They used everything from a banjo to an accordion to secure their unique sound.

One thing I found particularly interesting is that I couldn't really think of a band that they model themselves after, so in that respect they are trendsetters. Having a fresh sound is something that all bands strive for, but few attain. The Normals have accomplished just that. They seemed to have found their style and have taken it to a new level. Let's see where it goes from here.

- Review date: 3/29/02, written by Jim Preslar



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

 

Normals CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Forefront Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 50 minutes and 43 seconds
. Street Date: February 26, 2002
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. I'll Be Home Soon
  2. Romeo On The Radio
  3. Innocence
  4. Grace
  5. Less Than Love
  6. King
  7. Happiness
  8. On My Own
  9. We Go On
  10. Brittle Bone
  11. Epilogue
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, March 26, 2024
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Apple Music Nashville Sessions - EP [Provident]

This Thursday, March 28, 2024
ALBUMS
David And Nicole Binion The Revelation Of Jesus - EP [Integrity]
The Rocky Valentines Erase [Velvet Blue/Tooth & Nail]

This Friday, March 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Grungepunks The Fall Blues EP [Charon Collective]
Meadows Familiar with Pain [Facedown]

SINGLES
Joe L. Barnes Altar - Single [RCAI]
iNTELLECT It Ain’t My Fault - Single [Polished Arrow]
Spoken Worth Holy Week - Double Single (independent)
Gileah Taylor Summer Jubilee - Single [Velvet Blue]

VINYL
Battlecross Pursuit of Honor (Blood Moon Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross Rise To Power (Silver Bullet Power Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross War of Will (Amber Wave Vinyl) [Back Breaker]

Next Friday, April 5, 2024
ALBUMS
EmanuelDaProphet Fab5 [Capitol CMG]
Me'Kayla Prelude - EP [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]
We Are Messengers Where the Joy is [Curb]


For all release dates, click here!
 



Listen to the new album from Trey Tate!




Listen to the new Album From Tim Juillet!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images