Two of the most wonderful things about music are its ability to evoke feelings and paint pictures, and the band Ruth’s new album, Anorak, fulfills these elements without fail.

In order to accurately describe the CD, one must first imagine sitting in the middle of a green meadow surrounded by a tall forest and mountains. The warmth of a benevolent sun in a bright blue sky soaks the tall grass and evokes mellow, cheerful feelings. The band’s ability to tackle hard subjects without feeling depressing sets them apart with an uplifting project.

In late October, the sophomore release of the Washington-based band Ruth came to town on a bright sunny day wearing a smile. Though less rock-ish than first album Secondhand Dreaming, Anorak skillfully recycles the band?s sound a little to provide a CD full of lighthearted rock ballads.

The whole playlist the four-piece group delivers makes me want to go dancing through the meadow in motion with the movement of the grass under a gentle breeze. The lead singer, Dustin Ruth, alternates from a steady melody to high lilts as rhythmic guitar, steady beats from the bass and drums, and warbling strains from the electric guitarist compliment each other to produce a dreamy sunny feel.

From start to finish, Anorak delivers a solid set of songs. The album starts off buoyantly with “Hibernation Pieces.” The song flows along nicely, not too groundbreaking, rather setting Anorak up for the hard-hitting songs yet to come.

“Back to the Five” has Dustin writing of his homesickness out on the road. The single builds up to an appealing chorus of his peaking falsetto and a skillful collaboration of the rock instruments.

“Now I’m stuck here in the Midwest/Try and remember all the things I love/And I’m thinking bout a girl back home/But I know I’m not out here alone/Yeah, I gave it all up for you/Just to do the things that you want me to do” Dustin sings out. “I’m just trying to find my way back to the five/got a lot on my mind, gonna figure it out.”

Quite a few of Anorak’s songs speak of a longing for the homestead, like many other tour-tired music groups. Unlike many other musicians who would obsess over their weary feelings and thereby create a list of depressing songs, Ruth goes against the grain. Dustin trusts God to help him with his loneliness, therefore creating a hopeful tone throughout the album.

The lyrics of most of the songs don’t provide much more depth than what’s taken at face value, and, fortunately for Ruth, Dustin’s undulating vocals have the ability to make any banal song interesting.

The band doesn’t need to rely completely on Dustin’s skill alone; “Who I Was and Who I Am” brandishes the instrumental prowess of the quartet. The intervals of electric guitar breakdowns and punches of the drums leading up to the chorus shows Ruth at one of their finest moments.

“Pure Concept” let me down. It starts out like the rest, promising to add another cute rock tune, then the song lands on its face as the tune, pitch, and beat wanders aimlessly. The joyous skipping in the green meadow turns sour as one trips and falls into a stinky mud puddle. The song barely redeems itself when the electric guitarist tries to help with an interlude and the background vocalists jump in with their ahhing.

Ruth recovers completely with “Nothing to Hide,” an oohing and ahhing love song. From the beginning to the end, the song continually picks up more and more emotion until it goes out with a final burst of energy. The lyrics identify with everyone’s longing to love a significant other one doesn’t always want to skip in the sunshine alone and these two elements make it stand out among the rest of the songs.

The band takes a break with the duet piece between Dustin and his guitar in “Miracle Photo.” The acoustic pop serenade feels just right in the album, and the lyrics show Dustin pausing and watching the world around him in wonder.

“Looking out across the sunset we could run for it we should run for it/Why should we be scared why should we be afraid there isn’t anything you don’t know anyway,” Dustin croons. “Would someone please write this down/Someone please take a photograph, cause I’m watching a miracle that I don’t want to forget.”

Throughout the sunshine-filled day of the album, Anorak proves the sturdiness of a Redwood tree with Ruth’s addicting melodies and growing proficiency in musicianship. Anyone with a heart for Switchfoot or Relient k will need to provide a little room for this young band.