Trust

Originally planned for release in spring 2003, New Invisible Joy's third album, Trust, did not see the light of day until February 2004. The extra time spent in recording and production paid off: Trust was a major improvement over their ambitious if mildly misguided and over-produced sophomore effort. Recorded for a purported 1,500 dollars, the album doesn't rock as hard as their 2002 self-titled EP, focusing more on songcraft and particulars than spirit and power. This was a smart decision, as the spirit's still very much there. John Schisler's vocals once again balance fey and fierce elements, showcasing impressive range and malleability, from the smartly raspy "Chevy Nova" to the quavering, Keane-like "Stories You Tell." Lead single "Thursday Song" offer stratospheric vocals in its fine soft-into-hard arrangement, but it's "Hold" that sets a new high-water mark for the band, a sensitive delivery from Schisler married to guitarist Mike Gaydos' subtlest guitar work to date. Gaydos retains his Edge-like love of effects pedals throughout the album, while the rhythm section of drummer Brian Colletti and bassist Evan Handyside is as rock solid and nonobtrusive as ever. Trust didn't expand New Invisible Joy's reach far beyond its native Pittsburgh, but it did allow the band to rediscover its Europhilic voice after brief overtures to arena rock, and is a consistently engaging record from start to finish.