Despite enjoying tremendous success with Taxiride after the release of their debut album Imaginate in 1999, vocalist/guitarist Dan Hall decided to forge his own musical path, and split with the band in 2001. Over the next three years, Hall eventually assembled a full lineup with the addition of guitarist/vocalist Chris Hawker, bassist Glen “Scrubby” Evans and drummer/vocalist Paul “Spyder” Marret, with Airway Lanes finally establishing themselves on the live circuit in 2004, followed by the group’s self-titled debut EP finally emerging in 2006.

While many were anticipating a quick follow-up, it’s taken Airway Lanes two long years to finally return with something new. But return they have, with their full-length effort In Vino Veritas (a Latin expression for letting slip something under the influence of alcohol you wouldn’t normally mention) a rewarding effort for those who’ve patiently waited for the group’s return.

Unlike the direction shown on their EP, the vast majority of In Vino Veritas reveals a darker and moodier side of Airway Lanes, with the opening track “Fade Away” a fitting example of the mindset of the band this time around with a sound that crosses between a mix of Jeff Buckley and Luka Bloom. The album’s leading single “Don’t Let Go” is a perfect slice of pop/rock that Airway Lanes is known for, while the uptempo duo of “Promise” and the horns-enhanced “Carry You Away” maintain the energetic vibe of the single.

However, it’s around the time that the slow burning “In Your Eyes” makes its entrance that the album once again returns to the melancholy mood that first greeted listeners. The incredibly emotive and painful “A Public Breakdown” is a definite standout, while the heavier sounding “Sex Toy” and the Del Amitri-like “Cry” reveal themselves to be as every bit as worthy despite their slight shift in direction. But the real masterpieces are unveiled towards the end of the album. The band demonstrates their masterful use of dynamics on the ever building/dissipating “Wave Goodbye”, while “Caroline” is an absolutely perfect closer with it’s beautifully haunting (and almost progressive) feel.

In Vino Veritas isn’t necessarily quite what I expected of Airway Lanes, but that’s not a slight against the album. In Vino Veritas is passionate, dark and full of real human emotion, delivered with maturity and class that’s rarely found these days

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