Reviews | July 2009 | American Steel "Dear Friends & Gentle Hearts" LP/CD

Ireally loved American Steel's last album "Destroy Their Future" (2007) and thought it was one of that year's best records. A short while ago the mailman dropped a copy of the band's new record in my mailbox and I've been spinning it quite a bit over these last few days. At first this one, entitled "Dear Friends & Gentle Hearts", did not mesmerize like its precursor but it definitely gets better with every play.
The band sounds a lot happier on this new record than on "Destroy Their Future" which had quite a dark feel to it. Take the dancable "Your Ass Ain't Laughing Now" and "From Here To Hell" as two examples. Over all I find this whole record a bit poppier than its precursor and I really like the fact that the band has the ability to move forward with their music. As usual with Am Steel, the album is brilliant when it comes to the lyrics and awesome melodies are everywhere, carefully placed in great tunes that shines of songwriting talent. Every time I play this album through I find a new favorite part and I've found myself hmming the chorus of the title-track all day today.
I still like "Destroy Their Future" better but this record is great and recommended to all.