Choose Your Own Adventure

Choose Your Own Adventure is the second full-length release from Seattle underground dream pop band the Melody Unit. There is an interesting fairy tale/fantasy tint to this music which is quite unique, particularly to the Seattle music scene. Like a bedtime lullaby, the dual anti-testosterone vocals of Kevin Kelly and Jessica Folsom are dreamy and positive in nature. The band often makes the sea of guitars and synths/keyboards the focal point. Not enough can be said about the orchestration of the melody section c/o Kevin Kelly — the band pulls off multitudes of layered melody lines colored by endless effects with seemingly effortless grace. The rhythm section drives steadily and there are rarely any rhythmic changes. There can be no mistake that the group is attempting to lull the listener into a comfortable trance-like state. With the help of excellent engineering by Dave Rodgers, this album definitely succeeds in its goal. The Melody Unit are part of a whole new group of post-grunge Seattle bands (Wonderful, Saint Sophia, Spyglass) who favor mood and texture above all else, yet this group has definitely found their own unique signature with this album.