Artist: ActionReaction
Album: 3 Is The Magic Number
Label: Hope Division/Equal Vision
Tracks: 11
Length: 45:58
Review By: Jacob Gehman

My first introduction to ActionReaction was their tour EP earlier this year, which I reviewed for Decapolis. I knew nothing about them when I first got the cd so was pretty much blown away by the quality of songwriting displayed. It was interesting to learn, then, that ActionReaction was composed of Jason Gleason (who was the vocalist for Further Seems Forever during the “How To Start A Fire” phase) and two of the former members of Element 101, credited in this project as Bella and Salvotore.

Jason Gleason handles all of the lead vocals, which is an initial disappointment for those of us who loved Chrissie (aka Bella) from Element 101 and weren’t so fond of the “How To Start A Fire” years. However, where Gleason’s FSF album felt kind of strained and like he was trying to conform to a specific style and fan base, ActionReaction is purely his vehicle. His vocals here don’t just shine, they seem to shimmer with an enthusiastic vibrancy.

The song construction is what drives the songs beyond normal pop/rock boundaries and propel them into individually fascinating works. While Gleason is the voice, and a good one at that, this project would be nothing if the songs weren’t so interestingly composed. While there are a few songs which don’t quite pass the grade, but over all there are a number of stellar tracks.

However, “3 Is the Magic Number” is a good example of a cd where the vocals are great, and the composition of the songs is great, and most of the tracks are executed well, yet the wheels still fall off. It took me quite a while to figure out why the cd feels like it’s not adding up to what it should be from the good things ActionReaction brings to the table.

The word that might accurately describe the problem with this album is “flow.” ActionReaction’s first full length album feels like a collection of songs instead of one whole piece. The reason for this is probably due to how “3 Is The Magic Number” has had many of these songs released before. I was aware of all of the songs except one on the tour EP appearing on the full length, but according to some reviews I’ve read for the album there was another EP which had other tracks, too. So this culmination of tracks off of EPs, as well as some new tracks for the CD, even though sequenced differently, could very well be the reason behind the disjointed flow.

Both Further Seems Forever and Element 101 fans should find value here, especially if going into it not looking for a clone. However, if ActionReaction didn’t have members from either band no one would be using them as a comparison. Instead, the only thing really linking ActionReaction to either band is Gleason’s vocals, and that is simply unavoidable.

Overall, anyone who likes indie rock anthems should enjoy many songs on this album. However, anyone owning one of the their prior EPs may feel a little bit gypped. But the songs are strong and I recommend them.