Nick Thorburn has endured a lot to keep his musical vision alive. From the disintegration of one band to the readjusting of another, Thorburn has remained committed to his craft. His unwillingness to back down, despite obstacles bullying Islands’ spirit, gave Thorburn exactly what he needed to write more cohesive music. Whatever difficulty he may have had expressing his emotions through the written word is no longer an issue for Islands’ front man. The band’s latest release, Arm’s Way, is proof that hard work pays off. Thorburn and his five fellow band mates have come a long way and the music they make together is as fantastic to hear on an iPod as it is in a live setting. Every song stands firmly on a path paved with solid indie rock roots. From there, each one branches off and evolves into an original piece that possesses its own unique character and evokes a range of emotions. “Creeper” and "J'aime Vous Voire Quitter” are more upbeat, catchy tunes interspersed between songs like “I Feel Evil Creeping In" and "In the Rushes” that feel more macabre and emotionally heavy. This isn’t the same Islands that was a couple of years ago, and cheers to that progression. Arm’s Way is, hands down, one of the most vibrant and refreshing indie rock albums to grace our listening ears in a very long time.
-- Brigitte B. Zabak [July 22, 2008]
