Victory Records really knew what they were doing when they signed The Forecast, a young rock band from Peoria, Illinois. In a world where everyone is trying to be the next big thing, The Forecast really shine through. Their latest release, In The Shadow of Two Gunmen, features everything from acoustic ballads to songs that clearly define their roots in melodious pop-punk and cowboy hardcore. The Forecast’s true potential shines very early in the CD with the second track, “And We All Return to Our Roots.” Dustin sings, “I’d rather move than watch you damn the gods,” before soprano Shannon Burns bursts into a heartfelt chorus, singing, “All I want, all I want is a little place of my own where I can rest my head.” In The Shadow of Two Gunmen takes a drastic change with track nine, the beautifully haunting acoustic song entitled “You’re my Needle.” And in between all of that is track four, “One Hundred Percent.” The title of that track is rightfully deserved, as The Forecast really put one hundred percent into this album, along with their world famous producer, John Naclerio. If you have the means, I highly suggest you pick this release up. You won’t be disappointed.

(Victory Records, 346 North Justine, Suite 504, Chicago, IL 60607)