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Much like Brother’s Keeper, Inside the Outside leaves you feeling like you’re familiar with this group.  Every song sounds like something you’ve heard before, where you think you know the words even if the song itself is brand new.  They fit very well into the “adult contemporary/alternative” category, combining the sounds of Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon, and Sister Hazel to form a style that is comfortable, but forgettable.

I don’t mean to come off as harsh - there is a time and a place for music that I consider “ear candy”.  It’s great to have as background music in the car, or in the office, but it doesn’t make you stand up and take notice.  “For You” is like most lighter modern rock, while “Blue Skies” has a Jars of Clay tone to it, as does “Who Could Ask for More?”.   “Grin” is almost a carbon copy of the Sister Hazel hit “All for You” from a few years back. 

This group will undoubtedly be successful if heard - they have the style and sound of everything that is popular among the 21-to-35 crowd these days.  I’m just the curmudgeon in the corner looking for something new and different, and like their song on this CD, Inside the Outside is “All Too Familiar” to me.

Brian A. Smith  25 April 2002

Emerging from the shadows of their four-year indie status, pop-rock band Inside the Outside is Aluminum Records newest unveiling of previously unsigned talent.  Often compared to the likes of Vertical Horizon and Nine Days, listeners may find difficulty getting past such comparisons.

“For You (As Much As Me)” opens the album with an up-tempo rush of acoustic guitars and percussion before succumbing to a chorus of heavy electric guitars and stacked harmonies.  Dealing with the unsaved individual, “For You” emphasizes the equality of man, that being that all humanity is in need of the same grace and love from God.  But don’t let your ears daydream, because you’ll probably miss the song, weighing in at two minutes and forty-eight seconds.

“Lately” has an ear-catching intro and verse structure but is killed by a hyperactive chorus that is literally carried by the word “yeah.”  Along the same lines, “Used to Be You” sports a toe-tapping beat married to some nice guitar work, but fails when it comes to lyrics (“yeah” being replaced by the more appropriate “woah.”).   As is the case with several ITO songs, “Lately” and “Used to Be You” will probably appeal to the youth group crowd, but will find little audience elsewhere.

Thematically, ITO sticks to the typical issues within their song repertoire.  Topics covered include slowing down to take time with God, grace for the sinner, and grace for each day. 

While there is definite talent existing in ITO, it’s a shame that they didn’t develop more of their own sound.  Nearly every song follows a Vertical Horizon-type sound and formula.  In addition, the lyrical depth just isn’t there.  That’s not to say that ITO won’t find their audience, but they didn’t find it in me.

Matthew Williams 4/25/02