[7/10] With a shiny and ultra-glossy sheen to its brand of melodic hard rock, Earshot is justifiably named. Your ears will experience a new sensation upon absorption from your car’s speakers. Vocalist, chief songwriter (as well as one of the band’s three guitarists) Will Martin’s voice stays in a pleasing range where he is an easy person with whom you want to sing, but his voice is still strong enough that you won’t be able to keep up with him. Don’t feel badly. You’re not a rock star; you’re driving to work.

In some other reviews I have read for Earshot’s previous two albums, 2002’s Letting Go and 2004’s Two, comparisons to Tool were common. On The Silver Lining, a title apparently taken from the fact that Earshot has been able to overcome many obstacles to make this album, one principally being dropped from their last label, I don’t particularly hear too much Tool. Insteadm I hear A Perfect Circle as well as its wunderkind Billy Howerdel’s fantastic new project Ashes Divide. Earshot is much more radio-ready than Tool will ever aim to be. Wanting to get heard on the radio is not a bad thing at all, especially when it is darker and different from what usually makes playlists, but The Silver Lining is still undeniably catchy and has more hooks than an all-night marathon playing Knockout Kings against your roommate.

The twin-opening salvo of “Closer” and “Don’t Hate Me” definitely set the tone and pacing for the nine songs that follow. “Closer” incorporates just about all the qualities that a modern heavy rock song requires. It has a good riff with rhythm playing that genuinely supports the lead guitar and a big chorus sung by a big-sounding vocalist. Will does not growl or mumble. He enunciates very clearly which is quite refreshing. On the album’s second song, Will implores someone to, “Don’t hate me when you freak out.” My response to that is that I definitely am freaking out. It IS Will’s fault, and that is a good thing. Put a shot of Earshot into your ears.

www.myspace.com/earshot