Development

Album Review

Nonpoint's major-label debut, the intoxicating Statement, welcomed this multicultural Florida quartet to the mainstream, introducing its edgy independent sound to the world of excessive production and watered-down mediocrity. After two solid years of touring, Nonpoint has returned a more experienced band, and with Development looks to find its deserved niche in the crossover community. The bandmembers have most definitely grown as musicians since their last effort, as the music captured within this album is much more focused and efficient at weaving its spell on the listener, while Elias Soriano's signature vocals have tapped into a brand new well of depth and maturity. Development happens to have a much more crisp production, yet unfortunately this clear, pronounced quality comes at the expense of the gritty edge the band was known quite well for. Nonpoint has obviously stepped forth to find its rightful place in the mainstream this time around, and while truthfully many of the aggressive elements that stood out on past releases — most prominently Soriano's furious rap-tinged bellowing — have been replaced by a passionate melodic range, Nonpoint still remains one of the supreme underground gems. Songs such as "Your Signs" and "Mint" strike with vicious melodic precision, implanting themselves deep within one's memory with glorious hooks. Musically, the band has eased off on the in-your-face crunch it formerly excelled at, yet the heavy tones are still abundant, just streamlined for easier digestion. It should be noted that Nonpoint has not completely retreated from its aggressive stance, as "Excessive Reaction" and "Get Inside" could have easily fit in as tracks on Statement, yet these also happen to be the shortest songs on the 12-track album. Nonpoint has grown up, as Development finds the band literally developing its own signature sound, in the process refining its scope to a much sharper point. Sophomore efforts tend to be tremendous stepping stones that either make or break young bands, and in this case, Nonpoint has offered a much more direct, accessible release. As it stands, it appears that the next installment in the Nonpoint evolution will accurately be titled Achievement, for the group has surely accomplished a spectacular feat here, the members of Nonpoint proving that they have become the band they searched for all along. ~ Jason D. Taylor, Rovi