Good Old War
Broken Into Better Shape
Reviewed by: Lauren Rosier
After the sad news that drummer Tim Arnold was leaving the band to spend time with family, Philadelphia indie folk favorite Good Old War members Keith Goodwin and Dan Schwartz were forced to push on as a duo with the making of the band’s fourth LP, Broken Into Better Shape.
The record stands with a track listing of 10 of their best songs to date. Broken Into Better Shape has a much different sound than the previous three LP’s; a much more radio-friendly sound that expands past sing-alongs and ventures out into mass media to introduce Good Old War to the world.
In my April interview with Schwartz and Goodwin, they had stated they were going for a more layered sound, but realized the songs were meant to have a bigger sound, and as you listen to Broken Into Better Shape one understands why that statement is valid.
The album’s opener and first single, “Tell Me What You Want From Me”, is an upbeat, radio-friendly track with a more rock influenced sound not usually typical of Good Old War. The track showcases Schwartz’s guitar skills and the band’s typical sing-along songs, but just something more rock influenced than what we’re normally used to.
“Fly Away” is a classic Good Old War track, but also showcasing the songwriting abilities of the band when they are forced to move outside of their comfort zone. This is another song I could definitely imagine hearing on the radio.
The flow of the record from rock number to classic GOW track to flowing ballad was put together really well. The title track is the fourth on the album and the lyrics in the song are just one of those goosebump-giving songs that give you all the feels in the world. ‘You’ll be kicked around / but get up anyway / You’ll be broken into better shape’
For a band of brothers that have been playing and performing music together for three LPs, one live LP, thousands of live shows, television appearances, and then to have gone through the loss of one of the original members, this record shows the most growth.
Recommended Songs: “Fly Away”, “Broken Into Better Shape”, “Dark Days”
Rating: Bad-Ass
