Eat, Sleep, Listen to Copeland
Guster’s opening act drops latest album this month
By Kate Griendling, contributing writer
Posted on October 9, 2006

Listeners of indie-rock band Copeland’s third and latest album Eat, Sleep, Repeat will appreciate the intimate sound and instrumental talent, as well as identify with the typical emo lyrics focused almost entirely on failed relationships and lost love. Copeland will preview selections from Eat, Sleep, Repeat at JMU Oct. 9 as the opening act for Guster.

The beautiful orchestration, lack of rhythm guitar and piano accompaniment in the album is a testament to the band’s musicianship and originality. It is appropriate that Copeland tours with Jack’s Mannequin, given their similar music.

One key track with single potential, “Control Freak,” highlights the mainstream notion of heartbreak: “You lose your mind if you lose control/ makes you feel ashamed for the hearts you’ve stole/ now your own heart’s scared of an attack/ because you can’t give them back.”

“When You Thought You’d Never Stand Out” is a quality song, encompassing passionate lyrics, an attuned duet and ingenious instrumentation.  

“I’m a Sucker for a Kind Word” is one of the strongest songs on the album due to its use of strings and tempo changes.

Lead singer Aaron Marsh has a tremendous voice that is comparable to John Nolan of Straylight Run. The lyrics are structured for Marsh’s voice, yet complimented by the fitting addition of instruments such as the vibraphone and music box. However, his falsetto grows wearisome as the album progresses. Also, his vocalizations and histrionics disrupt the mood of the music and detract from the lyrical emotion.

While the band should be proud of the “organic” or acoustic sound created throughout Eat, Sleep, Repeat, its attempt to drastically depart from their previous album, In Motion, of more synthesized music isn’t fully realized. The songs often sound alike — a textbook result when musicians shoot for musical middle ground that often fails to leave any impression on the listener.

Though Eat, Sleep, Repeat is credible, the Florida-bred foursome’s hopes that their latest album will be a breakout success may be a disappointment after the album’s Oct. 31 release date. Copeland is as talented — if not more so — as similar bands like Snow Patrol, The Fray and Postal Service, but the question remains whether or not they will have the similar crossover success.