(Portland, 12/27/07) I originally reviewed this album when it first came out last year, and enjoyed it thoroughly. After the review was published, I listened to the album more, and came to realize how much I love Daytime Volume. This Portland-based band deserves a lot more credit than it’s receiving and if you haven’t yet, it’s time to check them out.

Perhaps the first time you listen to The Day We Transposed (Expunged Records), it will come off  as “just another indie album.” You’ll hear the soothing melodies of front man Jared Meyers combined with the distant mellow instrumentals, and you’ll enjoy it, but you will wonder to yourself, “what separates this from everything else out there?” That is the problem with so many lyrically heavy indie bands out there: their inability to deliver a unique sound separating them from their peers. But Daytime Volume is different - I promise.

From a quick listen, it may seem that there is little diversity to the album. Daytime Volume has a pretty consistent sound, but after a few listens, it becomes apparent that with their consistency, they manage to abandon repetition. The songs all share similarity in their rhythm and delivery, but instead of sounding like one forty minute song, they create a pleasant journey through the album, keeping you on your toes and never bored, eagerly awaiting whatever is coming next. Don’t try writing a paper or reading a book, because the music will start to enter you and the lyrics will completely absorb your thoughts to the point where you’ve completely forgotten what your current activity.

Meyers is the type of singer who rarely stresses his vocals, screeches with pain, or shouts with anger. Almost all of The Day We Transposed, he stays calm and composed, letting his words escape like poetry. His pitch does little to convey his emotions, but instead, it is in the writing itself. They sometimes reminded me of Simon and Garfunkel and sometimes the Shins. They clearly use a lot of influences and are successful adapting each one. If I were making a remake of The Graduate, Daytime Volume would be on my soundtrack.

For any indie or acoustic fan, I highly recommend this album. The sound is smooth, vocally driven, and an example of truly talented songwriting. If you’d like a collection of mellowly triumphant music with poetic lyrics, then give The Day We Transposed a try - you won’t be disappointed.

Adam Toth’s suggested tracks:
Good Luck Now:

Building By the Street:

Trouble Beyond the Fence:

Matthew Morgan’s suggested tracks:
Midwest Stars:

So I Was A Skeleton:

Something To Chase:

- By Adam Toth for The Stonewailer

Adam Toth is a college student currently studying English in Seattle. Between classes and homework, he’s spent the last year covering the Seattle music scene in a locally based e-zine titled The Wig Fits All Heads. He’s also an avid filmmaker and screenwriter, hoping to someday make his way onto the silver screen. Favorite bands include Bright Eyes, The Get Up Kids, Sea Wolf, and the great Brian Williams.