AMG Review of Outside In

Erik Hage
All Music Guide

Outside In represents a departure from the North Carolina group's debut full-length, Rosemary: This time there's more power than jangle in the group's brand of pop/rock. The winsome melodies are still there, but often buried in the murk of guitars, as are Greg Humphreys' usually more prominent vocals. The tone is set on the gorgeous opener, "Collapsis," a marriage of thick, moody guitar layers and sweet harmonies. "Poor Poor Lonely" is nearly perfect pop/rock, with Humphreys' likable rasp pitted against wailing, melodic guitars. In fact, this album may have been the group's crowning achievement, representing a deepening maturity and complexity. (Witnessed also on the thoughtful acoustic exploration "Union Grove.") It's too bad then that Dillon Fence remained largely a regional phenomenon until their demise. Humphreys would go on to found Hobex, a soulful combo that doesn't showcase his talents nearly as well. Interesting side note: The year 2000 would find drummer Scott Carle in a group called Collapsis, named after the track on this album.