” brought them into the wider music scene. This album displayed a range of sounds from the serene ambiance to songs influenced by 1980s-esque electronic rock. “Shred News” placed “Paper Route” in the “Top Ten Artists to Watch” in 2010.

During the two years the band created “The Peace of Wild Things” they dealt with death, cancer, divorce and record label issues. This delayed and strongly affected the content of the new album. Because I knew the hardships the band members went through, I truly wanted to like their new album, but I must admit I was disappointmented.

The album begins with a powerful song entitled “Love Letters” and is followed by “Two Hearts,” which still reflects their 1980s electronic influence. As the songs on the album continue they take a “dive into depressingly ordinary territory,” said Maggie Levin on MXDWN.com.

Indeed “Paper Route” seems to have traded their unique ethereal sound for the more popular style of “One Republic.” Although the album is quickly rising on the charts with hits like the poppy “You and I,” it has lost the uniqueness and diversity of their previous album.

“Artists Direct” asked the band if they approached the album with a single vision for its tracks. “We actually just recorded as many songs as we possibly could… Lyrically, there was a strong theme on ‘The Peace of Wild Things.’ Love is done. It’s time to evolve or die,” said J.T. Dally, the lead singer of the band.

However, the ballad “Tamed” and the ending song “Calm my Soul” are perhaps two of “Paper Route’s” most beautiful songs. “The Peace of Wild Things” may have a disappointing pop influence, but “Paper Route” is by no means on the downward spiral.