(Alt.Rock / Piano) Trading Yesterday - More Than This - 2011, FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

David Hodges band (ex-Evanescence)

Trading Yesterday - More Than This

Sleepwalker Records
(c) 2003, 2004 & 2005 12:06 Publishing

Produced by Dave Fortman & David Hodges
* Produced by David Hodges & Ben Moody

Musicians:
David Hodges ................ Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, Acoustic Guitar,
Piano, Keyboard, Programming, String Arranging
Steve McMorran .............. Bass, Background Vocals on (4), Programming
Mark Colbert ................ Drums
Dave Fortman ................ Electric Guitar
Michael "Fish" Herring ...... Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar on (4)
Dave Campbell ............... String & Orchestra Arranging
Brad Bandy .................. Percussion
Hannah Hodges ............... Background Vocals on (3)

Tracklist:
01. Revolution* (4:18)
02. One Day (4:24)
03. She Is The Sunlight (4:52)
04. Under My Skin (3:51)
05. May I (4:55)
06. My Last Goodbye* (4:17)
07. Love Song Requiem (4:33)
08. Come Back To Me (3:37)
09. For You Only* (5:36)
10. The Beauty & The Tragedy (4:38)
11. Change My Name (3:35)
12. Shattered (4:54)

Total Time: 00:53:30

Review from Wikipedia.com:
More Than This is the debut album by american pop rock band Trading Yesterday.
It was professionally recorded in Los Angeles, however due to the band departing
from Epic Records, was shelved and never released. It was leaked for download
over the Internet in December 2006, where it gained a fanbase. In 2010, David
Hodges re-acquired the album rights from Epic Records, after which he officially
released the album in September 2011. The album contains seven tracks from the
band's demo, The Beauty and the Tragedy, but are longer on this album and have
more backing instrumental added.

Review from AlbumBuzz.com:
01. Revolution - In the first 30 seconds of this song, Trading Yesterday gives us
a glimpse at what we will be experiencing for the next hour. Vocalist David
Hodges introduces the song with the line "Open up my eyes to dreams that should
have died. I was made for more than this," making Revolution the title track to
an album about desperation, hope, love, and faith. The song revolution is about
being a "voice" beyond the "lies" no matter what it takes; being the light in
the darkness, even if it takes your life. Through the piano, vocal melodies, the
dramatic bridge, and pulsating guitar and drums in this song, we're given a
sense of hope and excitement that will lead us into the emotional journey of the
rest of the album.

02. One Day - This song begins with an acoustic guitar and builds into a dramatic
light-rock symphony of hope and desperation for love. "I'll wait for your love,"
the beautiful line that soars into the closing moments of this song, can give
you chills. The upbeat feel and David's soaring vocals make this song a
highlight for the album.

03. She Is The Sunlight - A beautiful expression of love. This song portrays a
powerful love that is willing to withstand anything. The simple acoustic guitar,
backed by light piano and strings makes the beginning of this song raw and
beautiful. As the intensity builds through the second verse, they lead us into
the bridge where the drums kick in and carry us through the last half of the
song. A highlight for me in this song is David's amazing use of vocal ad-lib,
where a simple "la da da" on top of amazing string arrangements, guitars, piano,
and drums lead us into his final words, "she is the sunlight, and the sun is
gone." Not only is this a beautiful love ballad, but it ends with a powerful
piano/string arrangement that, if the song didn't do it, can bring tears to your
eyes.

04. Under My Skin - Another song of hope and desperation. A common theme that
appears through this album many times is the concept of faith and renewal. The
song begins with drums and a slightly distorted guitar. Once again, David's
vocals soar in this song.

05. May I - Another love ballad, and truly beautiful one at that. The powerful
lyrics in this song express a desire to be a comfort for someone when they need
love. This song can bring anyone to tears. The chorus is simply amazing and the
strings in the bridge leave me wanting more. One thing found notable in this
song are the background vocals. I truly think they are magical. I also found the
key-change into the last chorus very dramatic and extremely effective. Again,
David ends with vocal ad-lib, where in a simple repetition of "yeah yeah yeah"
you truly feel his emotion.

06. My Last Goodbye - I absolutely love this song. It's about walking away before
it's too late. I really love David's line "I'm letting go," and the reverb/delay
used to make it more intense. Another thing i found really effective is when the
instrumental cuts out at the start of the last chorus and then comes back in,
giving it one last burst of energy. However, I was left disappointed with the
ending, which I thought could've done something besides fade out.

07. Love Song Requiem - The song starts with a slow and highly-effected drum
loop, haunting piano and strings. David's soft vocals in the first verse
immediately draw your attention. As the music builds, you wonder where this song
can possibly take you, and suddenly the music stops, and cymbal rolls into the
first instance of the chorus, where more strings kick in. This song wins the
prize for most beautiful lyrics and melody in a chorus. David's ethereal
background vocals, and the haunting string arrangement carry us through to the
very last moment in the song.

08. Come Back To Me - David shows us his higher range in this song, and it's
still just as amazing as the others. This song reminds me of a scene from a
movie where a couple is split up and in separate places looking the opposite
direction, but they're really thinking about each other. This song isn't
necessarily a strong point in the album, but it's definitely a great track.

09. For You Only - If you heard this song on the previous album, The Beauty and
the Tragedy, you knew it as that slow, two-minute paino/vocal song that really
didn't do much. It was a humble little song that ended the album. However, on
More Than This, it is probably one of the strongest and most powerful songs on
the entire album. The soft verses lead into one of the most powerful choruses I
have ever heard in a song. When I first heard this song it completely blew me
away. The simplicity in the lyrics backed by pure emotion in the vocals and
instrumental make this song one of the best songs the band has ever made. One of
the best parts of this song is the last minute of strings and piano, which seam
to bring back memories of David's contributions to Evanescence on their debut
album Fallen.

10. The Beauty and the Tragedy - The familiar tune and title track to their
previous album. I've never found this song to be one of my favorites, but I
definitely enjoy it. I think once again, the simplicity and lack of heavy,
flashy instrumentals makes this one beautiful. The strings in this song are
definitely an asset, and the lyrics, especially in the chorus, make this song
one of the deepest in meaning.

11. Change My Name - The thing I love most about this song is the lyrics. The
music is relatively simple and light but the lyrics say a lot. I definitely see
the spiritual references in this song as well. It appears to be a cry out to be
made new, similar to Under My Skin. "Because the pain defining me is holding me
lifeless, so I am waiting patiently for you to change my name." ---very powerful
lyrics that really say a lot. I really like this song.

12. Shattered - The best way to end an album like this---end with the most
intense musical moment ever created. This song begins with a light acoustic
guitar. David's soft vocals take control of the music as light strings and piano
make their way into the mix. When the two verses conclude, a simple and
beautiful piano moment takes over. David begins singing the most deep,
spiritual, emotional, and powerful lyrics found in the entire album. The music
continues to build as his lyrics get more and more intense. Before you know it,
the music has built to an eruption of guitars, strings, piano, and wailing
background vocals that create the most amazing musical moment I've ever heard on
an album. The moment concludes with words "...and His love will conquer all" and
then returns to the simple acoustic guitar, softly closing out the album with
the line: "yesterday I died, tomorrow's bleeding---fall into your sunlight."

Overall, I was completely blown away by this album. There is so much emotion
driving each song, and instrumentally and vocally it is phenomenal. If you can
get your hands on this music, I definitely recommend it. It's some of the best
I've ever heard.