Thriving Ivory
Thriving Ivory

Campus Correspondent Review By Marion Olea,
North Central College


Sappy love ballads about a guy pining for the one that got away seem the stereotypical formula for a bona fide hit these days. However, Thriving Ivory’s use of string instruments and keyboard is reminiscent of earlier rock ballads where it wasn’t all about the guitar solo, but about the artist’s heartbreak itself. Their self-titled album is filled with melancholic love ballads that channel a listener’s emotions and don’t come off as whiny or begging for attention. Thriving Ivory (Wind-up) is a refreshing change for the music world.

Their unforgettable single, “Angels on the Moon,” offers a glimpse as to what to expect on their album. Lead singer Clayton Stroope’s distinct voice pushes the album to its highest potential and helps leave its mark in the listener’s mind – don’t expect the conventional dark and raspy vocals to come out of him. “Alien” really showcases his vocal range, while the hauntingly beautiful “Secret Life” is bound to emotionally affect even the most cynical of people. Although “Unhappy” may appear to have superficial love-lost lyrics, its amazing musical arrangement brings the song to another level and helps it surpass other bands’ ballads dealing with similar topics.

The only downside to this album is Thriving Ivory’s more up-tempo songs, like “Long Hallway with a Broken Light” and “For Heaven's Sake.” They are a little hard to swallow and can at times come off as cheesy 80s rocker love ballads. Though Stroope’s vocals may remind some of the pop duo Savage Garden, Thriving Ivory’s lyrical writing outshines any of their predecessors and current sensations at that. With a little more fine tuning and consistent writing, Thriving Ivory’s career is sure to take off.