Verona, whose members have been around the music scene for a better part of a decade, recently released their full-length debut, Rumored to Whisper Suspicions on Lujo Records. After releasing a couple of E.P.'s the band got a nod from The Fire Theft's William Goldsmith who ended up taking them out on tour as the main supporting act. Their sound could be described as dark, emotive, pop rock with plenty of layering and soaring vocals.
For the most part the press I have read on this band, mainly from their website, focuses on the vocals of Kyle Logghe. Which is interesting considering at times it is his vocals that hold Rumored to Whisper Suspicions back. The vocals are not weak, and Logghe has a very strong and unique delivery, it just seems like there are times where you feel like the song could be taken to great heights, but the melody line chosen sounds awkward and he sounds like he is singing out of his range. The songwriting is very strong. Throughout most of the album the dual guitar parts supplement one another very well, with one playing rhythm while the other plays the clean picking lead and at times distortion. To add to the musical texture Verona implements a cello and a violin on some tracks which really add to the song like the venerable opener, "Matador, Liver and Liquor the Bull." "Defeat" is Verona at their strongest, musically and vocally, and is absolutely beautiful.
Rumored to Whisper Suspicions is a fairly strong debut release, but sometimes teeters the line between awkward and mundane. The length of the songs can drag, and there are some moments where you swear you have heard Logghe sing the same melody line at another point on the album. Verona has a strong base to work with and with some tweaking could manage to put out a fine album in the future, songs like "Defeat" are just a glimpse of what the band is capable of doing.
2.5/4
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Mike ElliottThis debut album by Verona is not ground-breaking in any way, but it is very solid and will satisfy the listening needs of many people. The sound on this album can best be described as a melodic pop rock sound. While not the most intriguing sound in the world Verona does an excellent job of displaying their strong point very well. And this strong point is the singing ability of frontman Kyle…Similar sounding releases
1998Exeter FludExeter Flud
2004David LevinStepping on My Hat
2002CadetThe Observatory
2002PlankeyeWings to Fly
1998Dear EphesusThe Absent Sounds Of Me
2005Fivestar RiotUnfamiliar Sky
