Sharing Mary - "truesonicfidelity"

Album review by Mark Cuthbertson

Sharing Mary is a throwback to the best of recent and long-gone eras. Their Zone page states, “Dark, not depressing. Edgy, not existential. Emotionally charged, not icky sweet,” and the twelve songs on their album fulfill at least a vast majority of their descriptive mission statement. Each radio-friendly song is graced by one of the area’s best voices.

The album opens with the hook-laden “Hip,” a song that brings Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins (thick guitar sounds), and Tripping Daisy to mind in a without ripping off any of them. Clint Darnell’s voice proves to be versatile in this song alone with plenty of smoothness, restraint in the right places, energy, and range. “Rain Inside,” “James Ray Gun,” and “Stone Pillow” round out the list of tracks which sound noticeably influenced by the nineties. The rest of the songs on truesonicfidelity are more reminiscent of classic rock songs with less of an edge, happier warm fuzzy tones, more laid-back grooves from Eric and Monty, and familiar jangles and guitar effects.

“Rain Inside” is the highlight of the album. Like the others, Clint’s voice glides over the band’s tight hooks and smooth grooves, quietly and low-key in the verses, then building to a sustained cry, “What do you expect?” on one of the higher notes on the entire album. This song also has a wider dynamic range and unique rhythmic hook in the instruments. James’ guitar provides a wider variety of textures, feeling, hooks, and harmonies than in the other songs. Few albums feature songs as good as “Rain Inside.”

--Mark Cuthbertson