Too Close To Touch – Haven’t Been Myself
By Jennifer Boylen
The infamous sophomore slump isn’t always a huge hurdle, but it’s relatively expected from any artist upon their second album. The debut Nerve Endings from Lexington, Kentucky band Too Close To Touch was received with praise so they had a bit of a reputation to live up to with their upcoming Haven’t Been Myself, but they soared right over the sophomore slump, and their second record rivals the quality of their first.
The theme of this record is dark and personal–it’s clear the making of the record was a bit of a cathartic process, as it is centered around the death of frontman Keaton Pierce’s little sister. The lead single, “What I Wish I Could Forget,” is slotted in as track three but isn’t a stand out as many singles typically are, because each song is just as good as the rest. This isn’t a record of some singles and then fluff tracks to fill a CD. Each track can successfully stand on it’s own, but together creates a cohesive body of work.
Too Close To Touch showcases their technical ability and matches it with honesty and emotion. Pierce’s vocal strength is undeniable, and it sits at the forefront of this album, shifting between clean, soaring melodies and heavier grit. This record may lack the guest vocals seen on their debut (of Kellin Quinn and Telle Smith), but they hold their own without it. Haven’t Been Myself shows Too Close To Touch has similar potential to heavyweights like Emarosa, Sleeping with Sirens and even Craig Owens (especially Owens circa DRUGS). Not only does this alt-rock quintet stay true to the nonconforming-genre style they have honed for themselves, they put their own touches throughout with synths and sound effects, piano-backed ballads (“Inside Voices”, “For Your Sake”), and the give and take of clean and heavy vocals. They even sprinkle in some pop-inspired melodies (“The Art of Eye Contact”), which guarantees these songs will get stuck in your head.
Haven’t Been Myself lives up to it’s title: it’s clearly a collection that encompasses the most difficult points in life. This album is raw and emotional. Whether you need an emotional release or just something to tug on your heart strings, Haven’t Been Myself will do the trick. It’s a roller coaster, but closing track “Eiley” absolutely takes the cake. It is a bit heavier from start to finish than its predecessors, but the pain in Pierce’s voice is obvious and impressive that it translates so genuinely. It’s definitely one that you don’t immediately recover from once it’s last notes comes to an end, which I haven’t experienced from a song, or a whole record for that matter, in a very long time.
Rating: 5/5
Recommended Tracks: “Eiley,” “For Your Sake” & “Translate”
