Reviews

"For every action there is a reaction". Newton’s law for all the kiddies out there who slept through science class. Music is interesting in the sense that it is both an action and a reaction. We would create music to get a reaction, yet, the music we create is our own reaction to something around us the action. Jason Gleason, his wife, Bella and their friend Salvatore knew this. Reacting to the end of Further Seems Forever and Element 101 (respective bands these three derived from), the action was to move to New Jersey and start something new. The result: the furthest thing from forever.

Fast forward to right now. The action is 3 is The Magic Number and the reaction: what I, the listener, am feeling right now. In this case, it’s something to get excited about. ActionReaction is seductive, dancing gracefully and soulfully around the edges of “over the top” without ever taking the plunge past “just enough.” The three musicians peel away layers of their hearts, exposing personality and years of storytelling, yet refrain from ever letting any one listener see too far inside. Their music is both playful and convoluted, constantly teetering on some sort of universal truth without ever delivering those secret confessions. Part gentle keyboard melody, part dance-your-pants off rock n’ roll, it becomes evident that ActionReaction does not depend upon one person. Each member of this band is vital. Three really is a magic number.

Jason Gleason’s vocals are stunning at times a soothing croon and other times a gritty wail complimented by the intricate way Bella’s fingers command their way around a keyboard. It’s true, the girl can play with more than two fingers! This is rock music both stripped down and built up to an intense level. It’s personal, but not too personal; classy and sophisticated without pretension. You literally hear the personality in this music. It’s both upbeat and gentle with songs like “March On” providing the hooks and “At The Moon” with soulful melodies. I feel nothing but unabashed affection for each of these eleven beautiful rock n’ roll tunes. In a time where the credibility of contemporary music is suffering, it’s comforting to hear bands like this write songs like these.