"Mean What You Say," the sophomore record from Sent By Ravens is a fitting title and motto we all can live by these days. It really doesn't matter type of speakers you listen to this album on, it will make little earbuds combust or even rattle your neighbors ears down the hall. The band definitely has something to prove on this album and make no mistakes. Big choruses, thick guitars and precise production line this up for a fine start of Modern Rock in 2012.
"Prudence" lines up the album well as a starter, setting the pace for this 10 song powerhouse. The songs are to the point and definitely set for the mainstream world. SBR definitely has grown up from the first album. The maturity and the definition of their sound on this record prove, they are not "one and out" band. Especially on "Learn From The Night." This singles slower mood creeps into a open chorus of big guitars and melody. This may easily become one of my favorites on this record. "Mean What You Say" is the albums title track that brings in some more of the electronic urgency that we haven’t heard from these guys but drift towards back to those big choruses that I keep referring to. "Need It Today" seems to be a page taken out of Saosin's book with the nice "New Fire" sound for the fans from the first album. The end of the song is what I was looking for more of this time around. The band slows down with "Never Be Enough" with piano and strings and shows off Zach Riner's voice.
Speaking of his voice "Best of Me" is the stand out track on this album. Its a shame its the last track. Strings, heavy down strokes and clean delayed guitars in the verses bring light to this album and changes the pace. This song can put Sent By Ravens on the mark, its the difference between their heavy and slow combined for the perfect song from the to date. Take a listen for yourself if you want heavy rock soaked in big melody.
