Shaun Corley | Staff Writer

Greensboro, NC’s Athenaeum is, bar-none, one of the best modern rock acts performing today.  Writing deep, highly emotional songs, they wrap them up in catchy melodies and killer harmonies.  The band has an energy about them that translates into a kick-ass live show.  All of these qualities are on their latest release, appropriately self titled. This is Athenaeum’s first album since 1998’s Radiance.   In those past three years, the band has toured incessantly, and built up quite a fan base (you should have seen the reaction they got at the Center City Fest).

One of the first things that stands out about this album is the band’s growth and maturity, the result of all that touring.  The guitars are heavier; just check out the intro to “Sweeter Love” to see what I mean.  When I first heard it, Zeppelin immediately came to mind. The album beams confidence, and that translates over into such tracks as the first single “Comfort," the poignant “Frozen In Time," and my personal favorite “Suddenly."

I believe it is beyond Athenaeum’s ability to write a bad song, after repeated listens I can conclude there is not a throw-away track on the whole album.  They all grow on you, and are not easily forgotten.  Other key songs are “Mistake," “If Baby’s Gone," and “Damage."   Be sure to check out the CD- ROM track also.

Already a formidable presence in the North Carolina music scene, Athenaeum is now ready to take on the rest of the music world. With this album and all the great songs on it, they may do just that.