First off the mark I have a suggestion for 'Diffusion Records'. You could really make a little more effort with your Promo CD's. Both the Stormy Corner and Crafty Simian releases I received contained no artwork or information about the band and as such didn't make a terrific first impression.

Unlike the tragic Crafty Simian song however (woeful stuff), Stormy Corner's 'The Understanding' is not bad, it immediately brought to mind the sea shanty rock of Neutral Milk Hotel and the singer puts in a convincing performance. It's pretty standard stuff both structurally and musically but it's got energy to spare and some vivid, literate lyrics. There's not much you can get in under 3 minutes but there are some nice, subtle shifts in dynamic throughout the song, the bridge in particular really helps break up the end section. The lead guitar really lets the song down though, with a dull, Noel Gallagher esque pattern that just doesn't seem to blend with the song at-all. In all honesty I think (save for the bridge) the song would probably be better served without the guitar, everything else in the song seems to form a cohesive sound that really draws you in and the guitar sounds out of place. The chorus too doesn't really pop and there's nothing to make it stand out from the verse, the melody is bland and featureless and there's no power behind the lyrics. Production wise it's pretty rough but it actually suits the bands sound so to criticise it seems almost a mute point. Overall it's a average song but the band show potential.

Stormy Corner have a good thing going here, and with a little more time and development (and some stronger melodies) they may be onto something.