All Hail’s second effort a success

All Hail's first full-length album "Truth, Love, War" was over a year in the making. Following the previous EP, "Every Wealth" (2007), the band decided to take their time to record, rather than rush out a follow up album. The final result is evident, all they really wanted to do was make a great indie-rock album, and they succeeded.

"Truth, Love, War" contains nine tracks with a diverse collection of music, from simple indie-pop to whimsical theatrical rock. With six members in the band, it is apparent that the assortment of musical taste has influenced the album. The addition of Kenneth Dait's viola as the prominent instrument offers a unique listening experience.

Vocalists JP Bartonico and Garrett Loontjer work well as a team. Their voices compliment each other to fit the mood of the song. The duo finds the perfect balance where one does not outshine the other. With each having their own distinctive ranges and expression, they each play to their strengths to deliver the messages they are trying to convey.

Bartonico plays up the bitter broken hearted in the more aggressive rock laments such as "Ex-Lover" and "Say Love."  His vocals are delivered in short, thorny spite to release his raw emotions.

Loontjer sings more flowing melodic lines. This is predominately featured in the more theatrical songs such as "The Sermon" and "Carry Me Carol." But, if the vocalists were to switch lead duties these songs would not have worked.

As cliché as it sounds, "Truth, Love, War" will make All Hail a familiar name if "Every Wealth" did not already introduce them to the Austin music scene.

They have written enjoyable indie-songs that are accessible for even the snobbiest of music fans, but without ever crossing into over produced territory.