Review

If there’s one thing that new artists should learn, it’s to take their time instead of rushing out release after release before making a solid name for themselves. Thankfully Lillix have learned this lesson already and have settled into their own sound more comfortably on Inside The Hollow.

What used to be a sound that was better fitted for the Disney channel, Lillix have become much more mature with their second effort. Gone are the candy pop choruses and cute rhythms; in their place are more dynamic riffs, and a techno undertone with surprisingly smoother vocals. Inside The Hollow even bears a vague resemblance to theStart with songs like “Little Things,” “Got Off Easy,” and “Turpentine.” Surely this will lend a bit more credibility to their act than before.

All of this isn’t to say that Lillix have completely strayed from their pop roots; which are still very evident in “Wishing Well,” “Every Girl,” and “Just Like You.” However, this time they aren’t over the top or cheesy making them more infectious than annoying.

The last song on the album, “Stay” is perhaps the hidden gem of Inside The Hollow. With it’s haunting melody that brings to mind power ballads ala Evanescence, it’s the perfect close for Lillix’s new sound. The only down side for the release is the distribution. An American release will never see the light of day, and many fans will need to visit MapleMusic and pay in Canadian for their copy. The Maverick release that was set for an "early 2007" North American release was cancelled when the band released a statement saying they were taking a break instead.

Review by Jason Schleweis

4 out of 5