Posted: April 19th, 2009
Contributed By: Nick

	Purchase @ Amazon.com Release Date: April 21st, 2009 via Universal Motown
	The Veer Union is: Crispin Earl (Vocals) Eric Schraeder (Guitar) James Fiddler (Guitar) Marc Roots (Bass) Neil Beaton (Drums)

Overview: Once a TuneLab Featured Unsigned Artist and now a major label act, allow me to reintroduce The Veer Union, formerly known as Veer. The Vancouver based band got rolling in 2004 when Crispin Earl, who was then fronting a group called Everything After, joined forces with ex-Forty Foot Echo axe-man Eric Schraeder to begin working on some tunes. After recruiting James Fiddler, Marc Roots, and Neil Beaton to handle second guitar, bass, and drum duties respectively, Veer was suited up and ready to go. In 2006 the quintet dropped an album titled ‘Time to Break the Spell‘, which certainly caught our attention. Not long after their TuneLab spotlight, Veer signed to Universal Motown, adopting a new moniker, The Veer Union. The shipped off to Nashville where producer Greg Archilla (Matchbox 20, SafetySuit) awaited them. The Veer Union pounded out new stuff, reworked some old stuff, and stuffed twelve tracks into a disc they call ‘Against the Grain‘, due out April 21. Go request The Veer Union’s first single “Seasons” at your local rock station and catch the band on tour this spring alongside Hinder, Theory of a Deadman and Black Stone Cherry.

The Good: The Veer Union release ‘Against the Grain‘ with “Seasons”, an audacious opener with glorious choruses and an invigorating breath of victory from the band that gets you motivated. “Youth of Yesterday” is a pert anthem that screams vitality, trashing negative vibes of the past for a solid cut about moving on. Elegiac and crestfallen, “Over Me” will make all you softies go “aww”, a charming post-relationship epiphany that will have you rooting for the two heartsick lovers to one day reunite. The Veer Union’s Lifetime movie moment is punched out by the surging gallop of “Darker Side of Me”, an unflinching powerhouse that’s an impeccably smooth ride. For those of you with mates in touring bands, you will find solace in “I’m Sorry”, a winsome and touching story of lovebirds struggling with a temporary goodbye. “Better Believe It” is buoyed by a plethora of colorful texturing, such as the eerie grumbles of a spooky voice during the verses and Eric’s pseudo-epic guitar work. I’m in lust with the dynamic balance of the enchanting and majestic “Into Your Garden”, a union (no pun intended) of soaring, sparkly choruses and verses embellished beautifully by strings. “Your Love Kills Me” flourishes progressively, starting with a tight, thunderous boom and ending in a resplendent tidal; it’s the little things-the ethereal guitars and Crispin’s urgent delivery-that make the difference here. The porcelain darling “Breathing In” is heavenly, harnessing celestial choruses and exquisite vocal harmonization by Crispin and Eric with impeccable results.

‘Against the Grain‘ has two all-stars in “Final Moment” and “What Have We Done”. Atmospheric and rousing, “Final Moment” hits with tremendous impact, largely due to the dual power chords guitarists Eric and Fid nail to tag the chorus to verse transition. Two power chord strums might not seem like much, but on “Final Moment” they not only help anchor the mood of the song but single handedly make the track stand out. “What Have We Done”, the ‘Against the Grain‘ finale, is cathartic, sensitive, and downright sexy. This entrancing melting pot awes from so many angles without overwhelming you. Vocalist Crispin walks away from “What Have We Done” by echoing the words “open up our narrow minds”, a meditative sentiment that will have you reflecting carefully on ‘Against the Grain‘.

The Bad: You better believe that “Better Believe It” is “Seasons” II, borrowing heavily (!) from the blueprint of the album’s debut single. “Better Believe It” is also the only stop on ‘Against the Grain‘ where Crispin is unimpressive, sounding surprisingly indifferent on a song whose mission is to convince. Although a solid rocker, somebody should call the cliché police on “Your Love Kills Me”. Having heard both of the band’s takes of “Breathing In”, I must say the Veer version wins over The Veer Union version. Certain moments throughout ‘Against the Grain‘ feel almost like pages from a Nicholas Sparks novel, coming off as a little too melodramatic.

Bottomline: ‘Against the Grain‘ gives The Veer Union plenty of reason to stand tall and strut. Sure, the band fits right into current modern rock posturing. But the one thing that separates The Veer Union from their peers is the freedom of their debut, and the conviction-laden carte blanche of ‘Against the Grain‘ provides for one hell of a smooth shave.

TuneLab Rating: 8.5 out of 10