Guster brings us their fourth release entitled ‘Keep It Together.’ The merry-prankster trio of Ryan Miller, Adam Gardner and Brian Rosenworcel met in 1991 while freshmen attending Tufts University in Boston, MA. They have done a fine job over the years building a grassroots following through word of mouth by means of extensive touring with their excellent live shows. They indeed have kept it together and are continuing to mature as a band with each record without the need of selling out.

After achieving cult-like fan status with their acoustic ‘Parachute’ and percussive ‘Goldfly’ releases, Guster found themselves achieving more mainstream success after releasing ‘Lost and Gone Forever’ in 1999. ‘Keep It Together’ basically continues along a similar road with a personality fans have come to expect and love about the guys. Through each successive recording, Guster has been keeping longtime fans satisfied as well as attracting hordes of newbies hopping on their fanbase bandwagon along the way. This album looks to be no different.

Breaking down some of their own sound barriers, we hear some new bass, banjo and drum kit inclusion here. Overall, the new instrumental additions work very well. With an Alternative/Rock/Folk-Pop sound geared for the radio masses, it is incomprehensible how this band still flies under the radar in the music world. Songs such as ‘Amsterdam’, ‘Homecoming King’ and ‘Careful’ are undeniably equipped to climb the charts with their accessible hooks. Others such as ‘Diane’, ‘Ramona’, ‘Long Way Down’ the title track and more will also get in your head and stick around very unsuspectingly. There is a great deal of quirky and catchy material to have a good time around in here.

While for the most part, much of the fare is light and fun stuff, one standout track that comes off a bit more potent is ‘Come Downstairs and Say Hello.’ This particular track starts slowly, develops and builds to a glorious ending. This alone is an interesting musical journey to travel and well worth the price of admission. The only track that sounds like a mistake on this record is ‘Red Oyster Cult’, which truly feels out of place in this mix. Other than that, we are presented with perfectly well-crafted melodies containing infectious hooks and sparkling vocal harmonies. Guster is OK! Go grab this 4 Planet gem.

Track Listing:
1. Diane
2. Careful
3. Amsterdam
4. Backyard
5. Homecoming King
6. Ramona
7. Jesus On The Radio
8. Keep It Together
9. Come Downstairs & Say Hello
10. Red Oyster Cult
11. Long Way Down
12. I Hope Tomorrow Is Like Today
13. Two At A Time

Shamples Rating:  4 out of 5 Planets


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