Artist: Valencia
Album: Dancing With A Ghost
Genre: Pop Rock
Label: I Surrender

Valencia, Spain may lend it’s moniker to an American alt rock/punk band, but the resulting sounds created by the five piece Philly born fellas on their third album are anything but foreign. For me, it’s hard not to smile as I listen and can finally enjoy pop music without sifting through the over the top, bleeding heart lyrics pitifully pining for attention and that commonly plague the genre. Valencia definitely leaves teen sensibility behind as Dancing With A Ghost captures the true essence of what it means to grow up.

From beginning of the title track’s guitar intro, you’ll realize what you’re getting into for the next thirty-six minutes. “Dancing With A Ghost” opens with great energy, probably fueled by drummer, Daniel Pawlovich’s driving pop/punk beat. The vocals and lyrics provided by Shane Henderson fit so well that it could be easy to underestimate how hard it is to create music that says everything necessary but still sounds like it was effortlessly written. Thankfully this is a feeling that carries throughout the entire album. As I move from there to the second track, “Spinning Out”, I don’t even really notice the transition but that’s not to infer they are too similar at all. The song’s verse is widely vocal melodies floating on a sturdy bass line supplied by George Ciukurescu… don’t worry, enjoying the song has nothing to do with knowing how the hell to say his name.

A real standout track for me was “Still Need You Around (Lost Without You)”. It’s an easily accessible song with a consistent build that results in a great climax at the end. “I’m terrified that this fear exists and I’m scared I’ll come to terms with it, but that’s life” is an example of the story telling and soul bearing vocal performance given, made all the more real with tailored piano and guitar accompaniment.

“Somewhere I Belong” has an orchestral airiness that is very reminiscent of a OneRepublic style song. The synth sounding drums were an unexpected surprise to the verse as were the female backing vocals added to the chorus. “Stop Searching” is the album capper, but it is certainly not a last thought. Busy drums and guitars drive the tune and lyrics like “Nothing is lost just because it’s not where it used to be” show Henderson has chops all the way up to the bitter end.

This nine track album suggests a very mature point in one’s life that I think will be identifiable to most of their fans. Anyone who has navigated through the chaos that is a life changing event and finally found themselves at a point where processing exactly what happened is possible should appreciate this auditory affirmation. Overall, it has a sense of control, and I mean that in the best way possible. The amount of feeling they play with can often lead others to a sloppy showing, but this entire album flows well from song to song and is a balanced blend of cleanliness and grit. I’m happy to still be humming these songs days after listening, and cannot wait to hear it live.

Review by Eric Dexter
Score: 8/10

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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