Fusing the instant accessibility of pure pop/rock with an unrelenting indie rock work ethic, Article One refuses to acknowledge the rift between art and faith. Neither do they succumb to the myth that intellectual honesty must be dumbed down to appeal to a mass audience. Instead, the Ontario, Canada-based foursome eschewed any formulaic, by-the-numbers notion of what works and what doesn’t. Embracing a broader musical palate, Article One spent seven months honing each of the fourteen songs that would coalesce into its highly anticipated sophomore project, Colors and Sounds.
The writing process, facilitated by super-producer Tedd T (Mute Math, newsboys), was grueling, but fruitful. “Tedd brought us to a whole new level of professionalism,” explains Nathan Piché, the band’s guitarist, pianist, and primary songwriter. “He pays so much attention to the details. We asked him to push us on every aspect of our songwriting and performance, and push he did.”
The band pushed too - sometimes for ten drafts; sometimes for twenty, only satisfied with ‘perfect.’ “Looking back, it was an awesome, though at times very frustrating, experience,” Nathan says. “I think we are all big perfectionists,” Matt Piché, Article One’s eclectic violinist adds. “But Tedd taught us more than perfection; he taught us perspective.”
Where other bands yield to the sophomore slump, Article One has ratcheted up the intensity and delivered an ear-catching collection of fourteen innovative pop/rock songs. Colors and Sounds sports a grittier edge than the band’s previous project. From the torrent of guitars and horns that launch “Without You (I’m Not Alright),” to the massive violin orchestration on, “Never Too Late To Call,” Article One surges with electricity. You can hear it in the unrelenting drums of “Taken By The Storm,” the bold bass riffs on “Colors and Sounds,” and quiet introspection of worship tune, “Above All Else.”
Colors and Sounds is also marked by the band’s undeniably hooky melodies and the unabashed passion that brought Article One this far. Anyone who has witnessed Article One’s exhilarating live show - which was birthed in rec halls and perfected on high-profile stages across the U.S. - will appreciate the drive of Colors and Sounds.
“Our first record was very straightforward pop/rock. The sound was very clean,” Nathan explains. “Our goal for Colors and Sounds was to keep the pop/rock accessibility of the first record, while adding more artistic elements, such as an emphasis on Matt’s violin because it is so unique. More than just a collection of songs, this record has a lot of cool moments and textures.”
Article One is equally proud of the lyrical content on Colors and Sounds. “When you write a song, you write what you know,” declares bassist Mark Laidman. “These songs are about life – ours, and the lives of people around us.”
“Colors and Sounds is not a concept album, but it does seem to revolve around the theme of purpose,” says Piché. “This project was really birthed from personal experience, and while the message is very clear, I think it is as accessible to non-believers as it is to believers. That was important to us.”
“We have lived with these songs for the past seven months,” Matt adds. “I can honestly say that every song is strong and together they make a great album. In a day when people tend to buy only singles, this project brings back the validity of purchasing an entire record. It’s solid from start to finish.”
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