Viennas

I wasn't sure Common Shiner could get much better than their album So Long..., but they definitely went above and beyond with Viennas. The addition of the keyboardist to the band is genius and once I heard the song Brooks wrote, I fell in love with the band all over again. Foster continues to write more clever (and sometimes profound) lyrics and more beautiful harmonies. The only thing I would change about this album would be for there to be more of it to enjoy. I am absolutely hooked on this band.

With their first full-length, 'So Long...', Grand Rapids' Common Shiner got a little lost at sea traveling the oceans of modern pop-rock. 'Viennas,' their follow-up EP, does the opposite, venturing inland, or inward, as the band focuses on making some of those familiar streams sound better than ever. Vocalist/guitarist Morgan Foster has really adopted his own voice, both as a lyricist and vocalist, with witticisms to spare and surprising social commentary doubling as personal conflict resolution ('The Naturals,' 'No Melody'). Keyboardist/vocalist Michael James Brooks adds a nice change of pace with 'Recently,' while 'A Beautiful Disgrace' closes out on a most memorable note, flowing the band's best songwriting into an impressive jam. Hear it live at their release show August 10 at The Intersection. - Eric Mitts, Recoil Magazine