“Inspired by the success of “Boston,” a heartfelt, widescreen ballad that has sold more than 1 million digital tracks, rock quintet Augustana emphasizes piano and keyboards on this sophomore collection of bittersweet songs about breakups, breakdowns and breakaways. Modern-rock overdrive gives way to an airy semi-crunch, and there are new classic rock influences on Tom Petty-esque tracks like “I Still Ain’t Over You” or “Dust,” while the epic “Hey Now” shows arena-seeking confidence. One of many plaintively soaring ballads, “Twenty Years” is the sequel to “Boston,” only this time frontman Dan Layus wants to “move to New York City,” still sounding inconsolable. And as one glossy ballad blends into another, this pop-leaning effort, produced by Mike Flynn (the Fray), starts to feel like one long, soft-focus sunset anthem: warm, well-crafted, hazy and very safe. —Sven Philipp”
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