Morning by The Keeping, 2009
Website: The Keeping
Bio.: The Keeping is an alternative pop/rock band from Franklin, MA. The sound of The Keeping has evolved over the years into something both pop-catchy and indie-intimate. With a versatile line-up of songs, The Keeping’s audience extends beyond the usual single-genre market.
Songs such as “Terminal” and “Snake Eyes” encompass a pop, upbeat attitude while maintaining intimate and interesting lyrics and melody. “Six Months of Hell” and “Daybreak” invoke mature elements of emotion that everyone can relate to regardless of age. Songwriting talent mixed with on-point live performances continue to increase The Keeping’s fan-base.
What began as an online collaboration between high school friends, The Keeping continues to be a group of friends who’ve grown together as Musicians. The Keeping, originally known as Ericson, started in 2004 as almost a “virtual” band. Lead singer and songwriter Thomas Whitehead lived at school, 800 miles from Jon Perri (bass) and Jared Tocci (drums). When it was realized that the material was worth perusing, Whitehead moved back to Massachusetts to do so. Jesse Small (guitar) and Bobby Washburn (guitar) completed the lineup.
Though their beginnings were humble, things picked up quickly for the band. In 2004, they immediately began writing and rehearsing. The hard work paid off as they played their first show at the world-famous Hard Rock Café in Boston. By the summer of 2005, the band had saved enough money to self-release their first EP with producer John Naclario (Brand New, My Chemical Romance, Just Surrender, The Audition) in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The following summer the band embarked on a self-planned tour of the east coast. The EP sold over 1500 copies as the band traveled from New England to Florida playing fifteen shows in fifteen cities.
Upon their return, the band was invited to play Boston’s Warped Tour, sharing the stage with multiple major label acts. Gaining momentum over the next year, the band was invited to open for acts including The Jonas Brothers in Boston and Cheyanne Kimball in Providence. After a brief hiatus brought on by the loss of a close family member, the band emerged stronger than ever. Whitehead added the roll of piano to the mix, which brought with it an entirely new musical perspective. Using band money, they traveled to Atlanta in the summer of 2009 and recorded with major label producer Matt Malpass (Copeland, Lydia, members of Say Anything, Manchester Orchestra). With the new recorded sound, a new name was needed to break away from the past and fully represent the solidarity of the band.
Shopping record labels and landing endorsements (Orange Amps, C&C Drums, Stereobear Clothing), The Keeping continues to grow both in terms of fan-base and musical talent and versatility. They anticipate a summer/fall tour following the release of the new material. In short, The Keeping is the product of five friends who’s talent and devotion to music eliminates the option to be unsuccessful in creating it.
My Review: “Powerful, moving and evocative lyrics, smoothly blended with the lighter sounds of alternative pop rock!” That’s how I would describe the 6 track album “Morning” by The Keeping. Like all true albums, “Morning” has a theme and tells a complete story. The theme of “Morning” is falling seriously in love with a girl who only wants a casual relationship and still wants to date other men and the emotional roll-a-coaster that the man goes through trying to reconcile himself to this type of relationship. It, could however, just as easily be the other way around as to weather it’s a man or a woman, it can happen to any of us.
For the most part, the six tracks on “Morning” are pretty well blended, a couple of them do get a little bass heavy, I find it’s kind of ironic, in the background of their band picture is a bass drum, but by and large they are pretty smooth. All members of the band play outstandingly well together. Their music does have some good alternative and pop rock “hooks” to make several of the tracks quite “catchy”.
Singer, songwriter Thomas Whitehead’s voice comes through strong and clear on most of the tracks. I do have to admit, I did have a problem catching all the lyrics on the final track, “Terminal”, but that is of small consequence.
If you are a fan of the lighter sounds of alternative pop rock and appreciate meaningful lyrics, you should find “Morning”, by The Keeping the perfect album for you!
I rate “Morning” by The Keeping 10 stars and a “thumbs up”, it’s a truly great alternative pop rock album, by a truly great alternative pop rock band, The Keeping! Best of luck in the future!
Get the Flash Player to see this content.
Here is the acoustic version of “Six Months of Hell” from the album “Morning” by The Keeping
