-Greg’s Take-

The March Divide’s sound is the equivalent of mid-90s passionate punk fans growing up and becoming parents. Jared Putnam’s voice lingers on the ends of his words with attitude, while his lyrics are deeply open book. “Pick Me Up” sings to the conflict of not being able to get over someone you really care about. “Still Analog” speaks to the borderline juvenile, if not simply old-school way of expressing your need for someone.

Putnam built Music For Film around spending too much time on the road and how it “wrecked [his] personal life.”  As for the result of his vision, I was left wondering. The A-Side lacks the passion I was looking for in the album. Granted it has fun quirks among its given tracks, especially “Pick Me Up” and “Still Analog,” I failed to really feel the heart Putnam allegedly poured so passionately into this debut.

However, it would soon come to light that the first half of the ten track album feels forced for mainstream while the second half opens up like the skies of Montana; vast, moving and truly awe inspiring.

“I Don’t Remember Why” rolls along on an acoustic riff that breathes life into the seemingly generic first-half. Instantly I know this is where Putnam’s work, along with help from Laura Wheeler and former The Conversation band mates Jorge Ramierz and Mike Hernandez, will lay claim to something great. Hidden deep within Music For Film, lies “Flake.” The almost four-and-a half minute track is a hidden gem. Unexpectedly, it rises from the record and lays claim to everything this album has worked toward. Still wadding in the very distinctive sound The March Divide has come to mold; it screams the passion we’d heard in bits and pieces up to this point. Capping everything off, “It’s All Been Sung” lays down an acoustic/electric dance, reminiscent of a LIT-like sound, which I knew was hiding under the guise of acoustic singer/songwriter. It does so, however, in a very appealing way. It is fun, poppy and energetic. Then suddenly, after its two minute sixteen second existence, it just falls off.

Music For Film is modern folk with an air of post-punk fallout standing in a downpour of pop with only an acoustic guitar and love letters to shield itself from being drenched. Though it does everything in its power to prevent becoming soaked, it can’t help but get a little wet. It struggled to find itself early on, but by the end it stood proudly in the rain, belting out passionate confidence.