FALLING UP

Artist: Falling Up Album: Crashings Genre: Rock

Albany, Oregon may not jump off the map as the most prevalent alternative rock community, but having the road pre-paved by breakthrough act Kutless sure helped Falling Up's ascent. Besides having Kutless pass the band's demo to BEC Recordings, members have also teamed with Aaron Sprinkle, one of the hardest-working producers in Seattle, who lent his genius to Crashings, the band's label debut. With Kutless in mind, listeners should approach the record ready for a rigorous work out that will have them jumping, jostling, and moshing from start to finish.

The project begins with bursts of what the band calls "pash rock" on "Bittersweet," a blend of alarming guitars and lead singer Jessy Ribordy's emo eloquence. His fervent verve resurfaces on "Symmetry" and "Broken Heart," introducing a pop/punk slant melded with nü-metal influences. Consider such cuts, along with "New Hope Generation" and "The Gathering" to cross the styles of a more mature Simple Plan with a developing Linkin Park. "Jacksonfive" stands out as the disc's meatiest groove, thanks to guests appearances by Demon Hunter's Ryan Clark, Kutless' Jon Micah Sumrall, Paul Wright, and Ben Hulbert—an all-star addition that adds hip-hop and screamo to the band's base sound. Add an unmistakable message of rising above human imperfection and the desire to embrace grace, and the direction this gang is falling can only be up.