The Common Practice find themselves nestled in a charming corner of the musical terrain, a place that, on the first spin at least, strikes a chord with a poised pop and mellow rock sensibility. They’re all about melody over muscle, elegance over excess. Yet, if you bend your ear a bit closer, you’ll discover that beneath the surface, these familiar sounds rest upon a foundation of more classical and orchestral influences.
Take their opener, “That Love Came First,” for instance. Its guitar riff could easily have graced a 10,000 Maniacs chart-topper, dancing lightly as the rhythm section dutifully does what the rhythm section is supposed to do. But in the midst of this deft and delicate dance, a violin soars and serenades, cellos sweep and swoon, and pianos delicately chime. It’s a harmonious union of the vibrant and the intricate, the orchestral and the mainstream. A sweet spot, indeed.
And so it goes. “Heliotrope” takes on a balladic and beatific persona, while “Unknown Dreams” gracefully oscillates between an anthemic, stadium-ready sound and more ornate and graceful stylings. “Valentine,” which brings this succinct yet astonishingly astute album to a close, saunters along with a cheeky country twang and a wholesomely rustic groove.
All too often, bands wielding what one might consider non-traditional instruments in the realms of pop and rock tend to overemphasize their uniqueness, shoving it down the listener’s throat while trying to flaunt their cleverness. However, The Common Practice seamlessly integrates these sounds and styles into their music. It’s only when you pause and listen more attentively that you realize what a delicate tightrope they walk, gracefully balancing between the mainstream and the classical concert hall.
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