People say good things come to those who wait. In the case of Framing Hanley’s newest record, “The Sum Of Who We Are,” I think fans are going to agree. It’s been almost four years since their last album and despite the departure of bassist Luke McDuffee and delays caused by some legal issues, the band has come back stronger than ever.
With plenty of time to write and perfect the songs, Framing Hanley has come up with a record full of radio friendly rock. Their sound is smooth with catchy hooks, soaring choruses, and passionate vocals from frontman Kenneth Nixon. The first single, “Criminal,” kicks things off with a heavy feel and a driving chorus. The potential hits keep on flowing with “Collide” and “Crooked Smiles.” A nice inclusion is “Rollercoaster” featuring Lindsey Stamey and a nice male/female vocal arrangement. The acoustic feel of “Castaway” closes out the record in true power ballad fashion.
“The Sum Of Who We Are” is the best Framing Hanley record to date with solid songs and intense performances. Funded by their fans through a Kickstarter campaign, I think the band has given them exactly what they were hoping for.
