Line in the Sand came in under the radar for me. The band formed during their time at Brown University with reggae and ska influences. This recording is a departure from that.  More alt rock feeling, the reggae rhythms lurk further back in the mix. Each track sounds like it has the energy of a live show; I picture U2 at Red Rocks when I hear tracks like “When the Rain Comes Down Again”.

Things slow up a bit for the next track “Goodnight”, which features a haunting violin solo. It’s a lullaby for adults who are afraid of the dark, and don’t want to sleep alone.

I never dismiss what a good producer brings to a band, but the most striking feature of “Line in the Sand”, aside from the interesting instrumentation, is of course the lyrics. It helps when the song is delivered to you by a believable front-man.  Zox vocalist Eli Miller makes every word believable.  Even if I don’t necessarily know where the story is going; I feel like he is sharing it with me.

“Don’t Believe in Love” rocks out with edgy guitars and a driving bass line, it’s a fun song, but the lyrics seem oddly adolescent - like someone’s younger brother snuck it in.  It’s still a good tune, and it’s followed up by the beautiful “Lucky Sometimes”, a poignant perspective on war.

I look forward to more work from Zox, and Line in the Sand will have a place in my car this summer.