Until My Heart Caves in
When singer Mark Stuart proclaims that "I'm a warrior/With a warrior's heart/And it burns for you" on "Until My Heart Caves In," the title track of Audio Adrenaline's ninth studio release, you have to believe it. If not for the evident raw passion in his voice, Stuart and his band mates are known in their career for blistering live performances and a zeal to rock the house. And that enthusiasm carries over believably well on this album. Thanks to producer Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin, The Wallflowers, Iggy Pop, Macy Gray), Audio A has never sounded better from the studio. Tyler Burkum's guitars are the driving force behind tracks like the opening rave-up "Clap Your Hands" and the title track. Burkum's continuing development as a lead singer (remember the magnificent "Ocean Floor" from Lift?) also offers a more melodic approach with "Starting Over" and "Light of the Sun." Meanwhile, the band's playful spirit from earlier days remains and cannot be contained on the energetic bouncy cover of Otis Redding's "You're Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher." While Until My Heart Caves In may not produce immediate, sure-fire radio hits like the band's previous work, this release admirably offers a greater musical depth and sense of emotion uncaptured until now. Old fans and newcomers will find plenty to like here, so turn up the volume and let Audio A rock your world.--Michael Lyttle