Reviewed by Alex Figgis

Plaid consists of Alien Salmon (guitar/bass), Andrew Adams (bass/tenor sax/vox), Jason Scott Payton (drums/percussion) and Brannon Hancock (lead vox/electric/acoustic guitars/bass/sax). 'Understanding God', Plaid's debut release for Rustproof, is both well produced and arranged; where Derri Daugherty (The Choir), who co-produced the album along with Paul Sallo and Mark Q, leaves a subtle but by no means overbearing influence on the proceedings, allowing the band's over all sound to be enhanced rather than compromised. Plaid play a modern hybrid of alternative hard rock, showcasing some of the finest thought-provoking and challenging lyrics; passionately delivered by Brannon. Overall, the band are an extremely tight unit; although in certain places the drums are not quite up to speed. Rather than detracting from the overall sound, however, this adds an extra live feel to the proceedings. An excellent album from a group destined to make big waves in the future.

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