If ever a band was worthy of notice, it's 56 Hope Road. The heart of the band's sound beats in its soaring melodies and unflaggingly earnest lyrics. Fusing dynamic keyboard arrangements, gypsy acoustic guitar parts, funky bass and unbridled drums, this Chicago-based band delivers. Their music is textured – each layer made of accomplished musicianship. The band's cohesiveness attests to each member's talent. They all know how to blend, when to be dominant, and when to back off. And variation is their trademark, both within and among songs.

The front men, singers/songwriters Steve Goveia and Dave Hamilton, showcase their talent not only through nimble finger work on their acoustic guitars, but also in their singing. Listeners are awarded with literate rock– the duo can set a scene in a few words, tell a story in a few minutes, and change the mood in a moment. With a sly vocal style they sing deftly phrased lyrics – almost as if they're letting you in on a secret. Theirs is good-time rock delivered with a knowing wink.

The band's tempo is propelled by the rolling percussion of Greg Fundis. Also housed in the rhythm section is Chad Sanders, who anchors the band's sound, articulating with his upright bass. Throw in the dexterous keys of Steven Mann, and you've got 56 Hope Road – a breath of fresh air. The band sends a message of optimism and growth. 'I'm doing this because I've got a point I'm trying to get across,' Hamilton says. 'Writing from a positive place. A realistic place.' Goveia agrees, 'We try to make the kind of music that moves people, takes them to a higher plane physically and mentally, because that's what it does to us.' Through improvisation they are able to experiment with a tune, tweaking each song until finding the right sound. Each song they create is a recipe started from scratch. Goveia or Hamilton comes up with a riff, the other, perhaps, a lyric. They then introduce the bare bones to the varying tastes of the rhythm section, and from there it blossoms. The result is! a revealed novel group talent.

The band members have known each other for years, pairing off over time as members of other bands. Nearly two years ago they found this combination, and the progress they've made in that time is copasetic. 'We have a dynamic that you can't replicate with guys you haven't spent a lot of time with,' Mann explains. 'We feed off each other.' A great introduction to 56 Hope Road is their first album, All Points Connect; an effort that showcases the poetic lyrics of Goveia and Hamilton and the group's command of their instruments. Recording for their next album begins in April. 'We're taking a lot more chances,' Mann says. 'And we're not afraid to throw down new sounds.' While they've captured their essence on All Points Connect, it's on stage is where they're happiest – and at their best. At any given show their sound is amplified by the help of a diverse group of guest performers, including Hamilton's sister, Anne, who brings her entrancingly beautiful voice to the stage. Matt ! Katzfey, another regular, fortifies the rhythm section, blending varied percussion. Don't let yourself become affixed on any one member. Shift your focus around the stage, and you'll see that they all have their own little show going on. The fusion of each one-man-band is a captivating reward for the audience. Sanders affirms, 'We get energy from the crowd. Our music is always changing – it's always of the moment.