What I knew about the Wedding before listening to No Direction:
The band has toured countlessly with Project 86 and members of the Wedding have been the live version of Project 86 for a couple of years.
That's it.
So it was a completely fresh and unbiased listen my first spin through No Direction.
And damn, these guys are good!
Dave Grohl might have declared rock and roll dead but the Wedding didn't get that memo because No Direction is chock full of great rock and roll songs.
No Direction, In The End, and The Lesser Worth all kick off the record at 100%. Full-blown rock and roll. No Direction has one of the catchiest hooks on the record while The Lesser Worth has a great breakdown and showcases Matt Shelton's screaming vocals perfectly. The Raconteur is a little more ballady but it's a high energy ballad (if such a thing exists). Hang On Love would rank in the same file that holds Jimmy Eat World's recent work. Low key, driving rock and roll with a strong hook.
The Wildest Ocean is a beautiful song. Simple guitar and vocal track until the second time through the bridge that really focuses on the lyrics. The song never explodes, but you wouldn't want it to. Mors Tua Nos Vita keeps it simple but reaches a great crescendo. It's a nice respite and you're ready for more upbeat, kick start my heart rock when Kill Any Excise comes blazing in.
In a year that's seen Tooth and Nail but out great record after great record, No Direction is one of my favorites. The Wedding have done rock and roll proud.
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