Neon Trees's Habits

The town of Provo, Utah may not necessarily seem like the starting place for hot, new bands. Nevertheless, for one alternative band who got their name from an In-N-Out, this is exactly what happened. With the charismatic Tyler Glenn as their singer and leader, Neon Trees released their debut album in March of 2010. However, it has only just begun to gain popularity with the hit "Animal."

Neon Trees originally formed in 2005, eventually winding up with four core members. The band currently consists of guitarist Chris Allen, bassist Branden Campbell, drummer Elaine Bradley and singer/keyboardist Tyler Glenn. After playing shows with big bands like The Killers and 30 Seconds to Mars, Neon Trees is finally breaking into the world of recording.

At first glance, some of the songs on this album may seem pop-ish and shallow. However, upon closer examination it is clear that the songs are more than just loud. From "Love and Affection" to "Girls and Boys in School," Glenn sings about relationship woes and adolescent angst.

Although "Animal" may be the most well-known song off "Habits," it is not the best song on the album. By far, the greatest song is "Father Down," a bonus track that was released on the bonus track version of "Habits." Glenn's raw vocals combined with a touch of lyrical genius turned this extra into the most powerful song on the album.

Though the lyrics all seem to tell of melancholy moments and personal pain, the music never fails to be lively and boisterous. There isn't a track on the album that doesn't encourage one to get up and dance. From the opening verses of "Sins of my Youth" to the ending chord of "Our War," Neon Trees sweeps their listener up into a mess of pure energy.

Neon Trees has only just started recording albums, and it will be interesting to see what this small group from Utah manages to do in the future.