Immediacy is the keynote of 33Miles’ Today. Lead singer Jason Barton continues to stand out among his peers by virtue of his strong, assertive vocals, capable of delivering both anthemic upbeat tunes and more subdued, confessional ballads. Partner Chris Lockwood more than holds up his end by applying a full array of acoustic and electric guitar textures to the tracks. The brightly acoustic, ultra-catchy “What Grace Looks Like” and the simmering groove of “Where I Wanna Go” are infused with an optimistic spirit. While these tracks betray a country influence, other tunes like “Hold Me Up” (a soaring plea for salvation) and “Underneath” (an acknowledgement of human weakness riding a techno-rock beat) lean towards contemporary rock sounds. A Britpop feel can be detected in the moody, piano-centered “Calling My Name.” Whatever the arrangement approach, 33Miles keeps its lyric focus upon words of praise and healing. Sonically, Today is aimed at the tastes of the moment, but the album’s message is timeless in content.

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