Album Review: "Tiny Pictures" by Thornley

After almost five years have passed since Thornley released their debut album, "Come Again." It was singer/guitarist Ian Thorney's first post-Big Wreck studio release...and it did well. The album spawned two No.1 Canadian hits with "So Far So Good" and "Come Again" and even received two Juno nominations, too. It also was certified Gold in Canada with sales over 50,000 copies.

Now, Thornley is back with their sophomore album, "Tiny Pictures." I purchased the album at 11:00am this morning and I haven't stopped listening to it. I figured if I was going to write an album review, I should wrap my ears around the album as much as possible. So hear it goes...

Whether you are familiar with Big Wreck or Thornley, one would agree that frontman Ian Thornley is a very good and experimental songwriter. All of his albums are different and special in their own way, thus offering fresh sounds for the listener. You never truly know what to expect when you hear new material from Ian Thornley. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect from "Tiny Pictures." Thornley's debut album, "Come Again" was a great hard rock album that offered fast, melodic riffs, loud vocals and heavily layered guitars.

With famed producer, Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains) behind the control board, "Tiny Pictures" is a decent alternative rock record that is densely-layered and offers a variety of rock, blues and even emits a hint of country. Most of the songs are definitely fit for radio and would attract many audiences. Led by first single, "Make Believe" which has a tremendous amount of anxiety, songs like "Better Side Of Me", "Your Song" and "Man Overboard" are equal contenders as future singles.

The album displays a tremendous use of different instrumentation, which keeps the listener on edge. Even though it's not as heavy sounding like "Come Again", you have to be open for experimentation. That's exactly what Ian Thornley is good at. In fact, Ian plays the guitars and bass on the album and does a fantastic job. Be sure to listen to the guitar solo in "Might Be The End." All in all, "Tiny Pictures" is a decent album that will leave Ian Thornley fans feeling satisfied.

Rating: 7.5/10

Track listing:

1. Underneath The Radar
2. Changes
3. Man Overboard *
4. Your Song *
5. Make Believe *
6. This Is Where My Heart Is
7. Better Side of Me *
8. Might Be The End *
9. Conscience & Consequence
10. All Fall Down
11. Be There For Me
12. Another Memory *