Cold World, the debut album from Chicago modern rockers Frontline is a light melodic affair. Opening track ‘Follow’ comes across like a heavier Collective Soul, or early Shinedown, maybe even a more soulful Train. It’s a nice start and it really does set the stall out for what is a rather relaxed outing.
Second up ‘Cold World’ the title track has similar feel, its a nice piano driven slower number full of raw emotion as it expands gently and grows in stature never coming to the boil; ‘Beautiful’ is even gentler; whilst ‘Calling’ has a nice mount of bite and a alt-rock leaning. It’s all very clean, very precise and to be honest if the album lacks something its a sense of urgency, a feeling that anything might happen. As it stands you feel that you pretty much know what you’re going to get – that slight variation on a slow or mid tempo number, full of soul, yearning and great feel. On the positive side if that’s what you like the songs themselves are incredibly well written, beautifully played and nicely produced.
‘Changes’ has a lovely mild Country, acoustic feel and I love how the acoustic solo streams into an electric to close. It’s one of many nice little touches here. Closer to the end ‘Angel’ is as you might imagine it would be the most delicate ballad and it’s one of the best tracks here up against its antithesis in the rockier ‘Don’t Misunderstand Me’ which is in itself another of the best here.
The album rounds out with ‘Falling For You’ which has to be the best track here, less lethargic than most but just as melodic; and ‘Cold World (Reprised)’ a gentle echo to close.
What started out as a solo project for frontman, Jason Delismon has become a band with a huge amount of promise if you love your modern, light and airy modern rock. This is the sort of band who could be huge if it all clicks into place.