Since forming in 2002, Sacramento’s An Angle has released two albums (…And Take It With a Grain of Salt and We Can Breathe Under Alcohol) however neither of them manage measure up to the band’s latest effort: The Truth Is That You Are Alive. Lead vocalist and guitarist Kris Anaya achieved an almost cult following with the release of An Angle’s first two albums, but this 2007 release promises to bring far more to the table.

I must admit, I thought I had heard all An Angle had to offer; to my surprise they’ve evolved into something more than your run-of-the-mill indie band. So much more than catchy hooks, The Truth Is That You Are Alive definitely follows in the indie vein, but at times strays far enough away from the genre to make it a truly exciting album. Anaya didn’t just write a record – he’s arranged a masterpiece. Now it’s all said and done, An Angle’s new record is a summation of the work of twenty-three musicians playing such instruments as violin, cello, horns, and piano.

The opening track “Oh! Oh! Oh! Trouble!” leaves nothing to be desired. I enjoy the slow addition of instruments – as the track begins with a slightly distorted guitar and gradually builds into a driving indie/rock track. The Truth Is That You Are Alive seems to be a coming-of-age record for Anaya. In the chorus of “Child In Me” he claims “…there’s no more child in me” over and over again as if he’s grown up. The new album definitely reflects this notion of maturity. Writing on a multitude of subjects, Anaya presents the listener with enough lyrical variety to ensure anyone could relate to at least some of emotions evoked by this record. I feel this is what sets The Truth Is That You Are Alive apart from An Angle’s previous two albums.

Overall, this is an incredibly versatile record; the eclectic subject-matter makes it applicable to practically any situation. I could listen to this whilst writing a paper, drinking with my friends, or by myself on an idle weekday night. And that is what makes The Truth Is That You Are Alive such a wonderful album.

Rating: 9.2/10