The Story Of

Foothill Highway Appalachian Road (2005)

Jordan Rogowski

For a good amount of musicians, there's nothing worse to them than having their work pigeon-holed into a specific genre. Ambition holds no formal bounds, and artistic interpretations can be as powerful as the very music they make. Bands like the feeling of defying convention, making things difficult for us critics; at least, that's my conspiracy theory. It's for this very reason that bands like the Story Of make such complex records, complex enough where the word diversity doesn't quite do that respective record justice. Combining light, airy vocals, spacey atmospherics, folksy interpretations, and lots of synth riffing, the Story Of have weaved a complex, but compelling web of sounds.

This approach can also be quite complicated at times; however, with the organic, wistful sounds harshly contrasting against the synth-driven melodies and occasional harsh screams. As compelling as this may sound, it makes for quite the difficulty in trying to describe an overall sound, when in fact the band jumps around far too often for a solid appraisal.

"Our Lobe Loop" represents this contrast better than any other song to be found here, as the playful chime sounds quickly transform into something way off the beaten path, as the synths and roaring guitar take over, leading way into the dual vocal approach that's decidedly louder this time around. This is as close to "rocking" as the Story Of will come, because the same disconsolate vocals that appear earlier come back, until finally halfway through the song the drums start rolling as things pick back up. The pace again transforms to a much more dreamy, melancholic state, until quieting drums carry the song out.

Included on this disc is a psychedelic foray into Enya's "Orinoco Flow," which is…interesting. The mood is recreated fairly well, but the synths feel out of place in what was originally a very organic sounding song. The song still carries a good sense of melody, as is present throughout the rest of these songs, as electronic or atmospheric as they may be.

With so many varying styles, instruments, and atmospheres, it's a wonder that coexistence and cohesion was even realized. It's a strange trip through this record, and one that you'll have to be patient with to realize every sharp turn and subtle nuance, but the overlying melodies and strong songwriting should be able to pull you through. This well definitely not be a record for everyone, but there's definitely at least one piece of this music that anyone will be able to appreciate. The Appalachians are a strange place in and of themselves, with varying paths that may ultimately lead to the very same clearing, but it's the trip that a person takes to the destination that broadens there horizons, not the fact that they got there.