The rockers from Virginia are back with a new album that hopes to continue the momentum built by its predecessor that spawned tracks such as She Is Love and Under Control. The band’s newest effort, The Way It Was, boasts nine tracks that showcase the band’s capabilities with elements from the pop and rock genres thrown into the mix for good measure.

Honestly, I only started paying more attention to the band when I heard the lead single for this latest effort on YouTube. It was fresh on my part since hearing some saxophone magic has become a rare occurrence.

Admittedly, I was not really expecting a whole lot from the band with The Way It Was. Having heard two tracks, namely Something To Believe In and Kiss Me Slowly, that differ in styles made me think that the album should be a diverse offering from the band.

A diverse offering, it really is.

White Dress kicks off the album – charging with a very hot guitar riff – to a good start. The track also flaunts a very clever instrumentation that leads the listener seamlessly onto the next track which is You and Me. You and Me has this orchestral thing going on with the strings making their presence felt with effectiveness. The track, with its “you and me against the world” theme (hence the title), possesses the so-called ‘single potential’ with its lyrics that can connect easily to people who love to drown their ears with romantic words. Arguably, it is not the best track in the album. The track does make you feel like you have heard it before – most likely in your promenade.

Something To Believe In, the album’s lead single, may remind the listener works that have been released by the likes of Goo Goo Dolls and Switchfoot most likely due to the work done by producer John Fields. Backing vocals are provided by what seems to be a choir and honestly, the vocals do get a tad corny and unnecessary. Still, it begs to be said that Something To Believe In is actually an anthemic cut that ends up as one of the album’s very enjoyable tracks.

The cheese stars to overflow with Forever and Always. The sincerity of the band is much appreciated but the arrangement ends up as one of those that might get you thinking of other songs coming from the pop/rock genres. It has to be mentioned though that Forever and Always does pack more ‘single potential’ than You and Me. Impressive backing vocals dominate What I Know. Honestly, What I Know ends up one of those gems that are just begging to be heard once the listener plays the LP. Listening to the track will not make you think that the band simply produced it for the sake of having a chart-topping track. Rather, it makes you feel that the band’s artistry is actually calling the shots.

Second single Kiss Me Slowly, which was actually penned with Grammy-winning country trio Lady Antebellum, actually flaunts a very listenable instrumentation – the snappy guitars and the driving piano are simply marvelous. The track arguably is the best in the LP. Kiss Me Slowly is, without a doubt, accessible and Will Anderson’s vocals are simply splendid.

The album closes out with Philadelphia that lasts for seven minutes. The band tries to channel the spirit of Death Cab for Cutie in the track and somehow pulls it off albeit the length can turn people off.

As I have said, The Way It Was is a diverse LP from Parachute. Sadly, the diversity of the tracks in the LP shows that the band still has things to work on. There are times that I felt that the tracks were simply made for the sake of giving the band a chance to enter the charts. However, there were also times when I felt that the band simply was crafting great music without thinking of chart success. So The Way It Was, in conclusion, can be described as a mixed bag.

I still am glad though that I paid more attention to Parachute. It has to be mentioned that they can create very pleasing music. Let us hope that they can work on their flaws. Once they have those flaws fixed, look out because Parachute has the potential to be a very great band.

Best Track: Kiss Me Slowly
Also Listen To: Something To Believe In and What I Know
Date Released: May 17, 2011
Label: Island Def Jam Music Group