Wilderness of Tekoa

Album Review

Wilderness of Tekoa could very well be one of the best bands of late to hit the rock scene. They formed in West Palm Beach, Florida, back in 2004 and released an independent EP that must have grabbed the attention of Northern Records. The label signed the band and helped them release their first full-length record, The Skies Pale in Comparison.

From the start of the very first track, “Elevate,” it's pretty evident that these guys aren't your average, everyday generic band. They have some talent. Musically, The Skies Pale in Comparison offers twelve songs filled with powerful rock melodies and soaring vocals. At times, the music feels almost too carefully crafted, but the band offsets that by being emotionally immediate and accessible. “Asleep” is probably the song that struck a chord with me first. I really love the production on this number, and the many changes keep the song interesting and breathtaking.

These guys can really write some cool-sounding hooks. I would say that's the true strength of the album. Another highlight is “Sunbeam.” I absolutely love the lyrics on this little ditty:

Oh who am I
This breath of fading mist
Where do I stand
On this speck of heaven's dust

Suspended on a sunbeam
Where no one's really listening
Suspended on a sunbeam

So here we go
On this endless chase
and on and on
We'll know it all and waste

This disc has one of the strongest closing stretches I've heard in many years. Most discs leave their weakest songs for the end, but that's not the case here. The last five songs, with the exception of “One at a Time” — the weakest song on the entire outing — form the most solid grouping on the album. “Teach Me to Break” closes things out, and what a great closing song it is. It's one of those songs so full of emotion and passion that you can hardly handle it.

With all that said, I'm pleased to present Wilderness of Tekoa, a band full of natural talent whose music is real and as deep as one could hope for.

For fans of: Copeland, Lovedrug, Switchfoot, They Sang as They Slew, Denison Marrs, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Foo Fighters.

— Anthony P. Hanna