with lead singers, and after enough time passed, guitarist Jason Shi also became the band’s front man. I personally think this decision worked in their favor because I think he sounds great! Perfect even, against the awesome melodies of the beats on Win Us Over. Eventually, a second guitarist, Jonah Citty was added to the trio of musicians, completing the four-membered ASG we know now.

 

Taking a deeper look into why I was so shocked when first playing the album, the first song, “Right Death Before,” started the album out in a strong way. Before a minute into the first song, I was captured by the guitars and anxiously waited to hear Jason Shi sing the first note. You never know what you’re going to get with rock bands. I find that sometimes the beat sounds great, and the vocals… eh, not so much, or vice versa. I was even more pleasantly surprised when he sang the first line, "God speaks his love/ Through splits in tongues,” which I couldn’t even comprehend until I read the lyrics, but I knew it sounded good, and at that moment, that was good enough for me. Actually, the whole song is only a few repeated lines, in the best way, because at about the two minute mark, there’s a breakdown that would make you care even less about the lack of lyrics. But hey, sometimes you can’t mess up a song by over-singing it, ya know. For some songs, all it takes is a few good lines and an even better tune.

 

The next song I want to bring attention to is "Glow," which is another upbeat song. It’s like the drums and the guitars are competing against each other, and I loved it! I’d have to say that in the battle of the band, err... instruments, (or maybe the battle existing only in my head), was a tie for my approval. I enjoyed catching the drums ripple through the song right before he sings a long, drawn out “When they gloowwwwwwwwww,” as the guitars climb a scale simultaneously. Although it didn’t take much for me to like this song, I know that others will appreciate the actual story. The song is fast-paced, but it’s actually a gloomy story about a man who “had to go” because he’s seen too much in his lifetime and couldn’t handle it. Even worse, later in the song, Shi says, “All he wanted was to watch his children grow.” But I guess his premature “leaving” got in the way. I think that singing a sad song in a not-so-sad way is interesting and a good contrast.

 

“Palm Springs" is a name of a song that makes me think of beautiful beaches and a nice, peaceful time. But the song starts and I hear “Palm Springs/ A decade in the salt and sun/ The bloody clocks and the tears they run.” Um, not quite what I was expecting. Later he sings, “Dead bodies baking in the center of the sun/ Hand grenades will blow away the passion/ Let it burn away." This song is the opposite of what we know. It’s a place you wouldn’t want to go to. I think it’s cool and different that they made a beautiful place seem ugly, in a song you can get hyped up with. I’d have fun singing along to this, but there is pain in the lyrics that gives the song even more meaning. One of my favorite lines of the song is a perfect example of that meaning. “Jesus I’m a sinner/ Jesus I’m your sin… One of many children that could never find a way.” To me, this is a confession of not being perfect but still accepting it. It’s a little pessimistic in “NEVER” finding a way, but relatable none the less.

 

A lot of songs are relatable, being that they are about general subjects like love, pain, and other ups and downs. The songs on Win Us Over seem more personal, with certain parts everyone can relate to or understand. I mostly enjoyed the fast-paced songs, but others may have just as much of an appreciation for the slower songs like “Coffee Depression Sunshine” or “A Number to Murder To,” both of which are good songs to chill out to. You would probably appreciate the change of pace from all of the air guitar and air drum playing you’ll be doing. If you enjoyed Win Us Over as much as I did, you will be pleased to know that they have concert dates coming very soon, and if you can't get enough of ASG, check out their 2013 release, Blood Drive. Be sure to catch one of their upcoming shows! There's one in Charlotte, NC on the 21st, and more coming up in April. I hope you give ASG a chance, and just as they did for me, maybe they can win you over.