Place Where You Belong

The Normals include: Andrew Osenga (vocals, guitar, banjo, mando-guitar, mandolin, ocarino, trombone, piano, keyboards, bass, percussion); Mark Lockett (guitar, mando-guitar, accordion, piano, keyboards, bass, percussion, samples, background vocals); B.J. Aberle (guitar, keybards, bass, percussion, programming, background vocals); Carson Cooley (mando-guitar, piano, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Mike Taquino (drums, percussion, background vocals).
Additional personnel includes: Jesse Deyo (shaker); Luthea Salom (background vocals).
Engineers include: Todd Vos, Mark Lockett, B.J. Aberle.
Personnel: Cason Cooley (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, percussion); B.J. Aberle (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming); Mike Taquino (drums); Luthea Salom (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Malcolm Burn.
Recording information: Big, Old Blue House, Kingston, NY.
Photographer: Allen Clark .
After a couple of discs that seemed to be searching for an identity, the appropriately titled A Place Where You Belong seems to have found exactly that. The second disc as a five-piece (after the Better Than This debut was recorded as a trio) sticks to simple, heartfelt melodies and the voice of main songwriter Andrew Osenga to propel lush soundscapes that all fit nicely into the adult alternative realm. At times, the musicianship and his vocals recall Peter Gabriel's more straightforward fare, especially on the spiritual "Grace," which could be a "Biko" B-side and fits nicely alongside Sting's output. As the CCM market turned to a point where you were either blaringly loud or a clear-cut gospel act, it's good to see the Normals not only fill the niche, but do it so convincingly and well. ~ Brian O'Neill