Return To Sender “The Grand Exposure”

Release Date: August 5, 2008

1.88
2.Fast Track
3.Spit Me Out
4.The Grand Exposure
5.Seeing Someone
6.Perspective
7.X-Men
8.Dutch/Boyz/Dance/Floor
9.Lights Out
10. This is a Nation
11. Hearts Go Thundering

Album Info:

All Music by Return To Sender
All Lyrics by Chad Reynolds

Produced by Return To Sender

Recorded between September 07 and March 08
Recorded at The Fillerup’s, Steve’s Home and 178th N
Recorded by Return To Sender

Engineered and Mixed by Chad Reynolds at 178th N
Additional Mixing by Chris Reynolds at Chace Studios
Mastered by Mark Chaleki at Little Red Book Mastering
Artwork and Design by Kyler Fillerup

Overview:

Since they were mere pre-teens, the three members of Return To Sender from Provo, UT have been playing music together, refining music together, and, most importantly, dreaming together. Their first break came when fellow Utah musician Branden Steinekert (Rancid/ex-The Used) offered to record a three-song demo for a major label. After some more life lessons and experiences, the band decided to take full control of their future, earning how to record and mix their own music.  Since that discovery in 2006, this threesome has been meticulously crafting a sound that would give them an edge, eventually putting it to tape themselves and on their own time.  Put simply, they’ve managed to gain that edge by returning to the roots of rock n roll. While there are hints of everything from shoegazing post-rock, 80’s Brit-pop, and gritty hardcore on their second and debut on Five One, Inc. entitled The Grand Exposure, Return To Sender are grounded in a style of rock music that is hard to find amongst today’s scene darlings. While The Grand Exposure has been many years in the making, these fine lads are more than ready to release their music to the world knowing full well the kind of challenges they will face along the way. With an average age of just 20 years old, they are more than ready to accept whatever may be thrown at them.  As they say, “Bring it on!” 

Press:
  
The story of this record's birth would take too long to tell; suffice it to say that the three members of local indie rock band Return to Sender have survived a series of robberies and a plethora of potential record deals gone awry, emerging triumphantly with a contract with Five One Inc., and the monumental achievement of The Grand Exposure, their second full-length album. 

RTS showcases their versatility and explores a wide sonic range in Exposure. It opens with "88," a fast-paced, instrumental track somewhat reminiscent of Explosions in the Sky, and closes with "Hearts Go Thundering," a more soothing, electronic piece, and runs the gamut from the quiet intensity of "Fingers" to a climactic catharsis in "X-Men."

Chad Reynolds' vocals rarely take center stage, playing a subtle but crucial role, ornamenting the songs with haunting, simple melodies that perfectly compliment his complex Greenwood-esque guitar riffs. When on occasion his voice is spotlit, its gritty fervor commands and holds our attention. The immensely talented Scott Miller's innovative drum work is more than just impressive, presenting intricate transitions and atyplcal time signatiues with seeming effortlessness. Kyler Fillerup's bass provides cohesion and unity, alternating between captivating, melodic highlights and tastefullt restrained solid support, always richly backing the band.

The coarse, edgy timbre of Exposure supports the lyrical content, as well as its driven, energy-charged near-reckless pace. Its unique sound is quite an accomplishment, given that Exposure was entirely self-recorded. the layered effects, particularly those on the vocals and bass, represent a commitment to the fuller, more electronic sound of the new, and in my opinion better, Return to Sender music. Hear them live and decide for yourself at their CD release party. 
- Square Magazine