Tropics is theendisthebeginning’s latest five track release. It’s glowy rock – contemplative and punctuated by some harder qualities. theendisthebeginning create an airy and uncomplicated backdrop for heavier guitar and wispy (but assertive) vocals to take lead. Tropics would have been all the rage in the early 2000 alternative rock music scene.

The album opens strong with title track “Tropics” sounding lush and full. It’s a pretty true indication of what the rest of the album will sound like: simple but compelling riffs, a generous use of effects, and primal drumming that is often subtle, but still establishes its presence. Atmospheric and a soft lean toward a dark sound (though never tipping over to sound too dark), there is still an uplifting quality to be heard in the progressions.

The listener is coaxed, “There’s nothing wrong with being wrong” on the third track “Massive”. Things get a little louder through the album, but the non-threatening tone maintains. We hear “All your sins are mine” on “Blueswallow”, over crunchy guitars and cymbals, while all the pieces complement each other to create the atmospheric sound heard through the rest of the album to closing track “Concreep”.

Tropics is consistent in its hazy rock sound, never surprising the listener with something totally far from the other tracks, no anomalous moments that too-often ruin good albums. While each layer of sound has its individual fashion or function, these guys orchestrate them in a very complementary way. More than just a throwback to the rise of alternative rock, theendisthebeginning’s name is all too appropriate.

Final Words: Noise orchestrated in a simple fashion, but with compelling particularities – the best kind of noise.