Less than a year after the release of their first full-length, Dirty Radio, and with an extensive amount of touring under their belts, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside seem to be firing on all cylinders as they release their new album, Untamed Beast. Simply stated, the Portland band has put together a record free of fluff and filler – one that rollercoasters in and out of genres without losing the band’s poppy hooks and 50’s rock feel. It’s an album that illustrates a band coming into the their own, embracing maturity.

The first song, and the album’s first single, “They Told Me”, sets the tone of the record as something different, something harder, something more intense. The band seems to have something to prove. As Sallie says in the opening lines, “Never gonna apologize for being so intense, how the hell would that make any sense?”

With a lot of grit, the song “Addicted” drives the album’s energy forward with catchy lyrics and a set of brilliant harmonies. The  haunting vibe the vocals at the end of the song looms like a giant statue to the music and creates the song’s most powerful feeling. “Party Kids”, the album’s third track, gives Untamed Beast a terrific 3-for-3 opening. Its strength is illuminated by the irresistible melody of the irresistible refrain. “Honey I can handle it, I can handle it,” Sallie sings – her voice is so catchy that I find myself humming along before I realize.

Untamed Beast’s first ballad, which happens to be one of my two favorite songs on the album, showcases a cracking snare coupled with restrained guitars. This creates a brilliant tension that Sallie soars over. The burst of energy she achieves on the chorus warms the listener like a hot chocolate on a rainy Seattle morning. She is matched by an oozing guitar solo, making this song a total hit. “Paris”, my other favorite, is a great example of the band crossing genres. A twangy, country style jam, the tune is easy to dance to and is unassumingly cute.

The band then presents four consecutive tracks that, while finding their proper home on the record, are all completely different. The string of tunes begins with “Do Me Right”, a true 1950’s-era pop song that’s ultra-fun and ultra-quirky. Sallie sings, “Some girls they like mash potatoes, some girls like green tomatoes.” Following is the heavy freight-train-style drumbeat in the surf-rock song, “Lip Boy”, featuring a reverb-drenched guitar solo and a melting vocal line. Audiences will sing in unison, “Wwooooaaa, wooooaaaa, woooooaaaa!”

Rounding out the 11-song album is the sweet tune, “Roll Around”, a heavy, yet spirited composition comprised of Sallie and her guitar. In it, she expresses a desire for a simple life and just wanting “to roll around in bed” with her other half.

Lyrically, the theme of the record is Sallie’s distaste for people trying to put her in a box — often she is labeled just as a cute girl making just cute music. Not only has she escaped that box with Untamed Beast, but she’s done it without sacrificing her band or the quality of music. The group is made up of Ford Tennis (drums), Jeff Munger (guitar), and Tyler Tornfelt (bass). They execute with supreme musicianship, helping to unlock the music’s full potential.

Untamed Beast is, in my opinion, the first must have album of 2013. It will be released to the masses on February 19th, and other music by Sallie Ford and The Sound Outside can be found at www.sallieford.com.

–Dominic Cortese, music writer, The Monarch Review