Marked by the sounds of a viola, when you've become so accustomed to hearing the wails of a violin, Frail by Design are a septet from Madison Wisconsin. Recently releasing a four-track EP, the band makes its first move onto the instrumental scene, largely proclaiming itself to be a more upbeat and laid back band then we might expect. Although the instruments present indicate the band are capable of some utterly devastating walls of sound, and this is certainly true we'll find, it's by and large not to the effect of emotional release of a brooding track. On the contrary, these exchanges can be viewed as a celebration of joy, and as "What it Means to Hope" shows, everything falls into place perfectly around the soothing viola. Guitar effects flare to life, detailing the work like fine brush stokes, and the brevity of the track is its only shortcoming.

Recommended for fans of Neil on Impression and Sweek, this young group shows a side of instrumental music that is often neglected.

-Jordan Volz