After demolishing the rock world with their 2003 debut Beneath Medicine Tree, Atlanta’s Copeland are back with their next for the Militia Group In Motion. After the mild ripple Beneath Medicine Tree initially caused, Copeland began to quickly expand their domain with an ungodly tour schedule and an impressive video for their single “Walking Downtown.” Now Copeland is as big as ever and often are used as a reference point for new bands starting out. Copeland is characterized by guitarist and lead singer Aaron Marsh’s breathy, melodic and soft glove vocals married with outstanding pop compositions. Such is the case that Copeland is often lumped into the emo’ genre, but they do none of the heart-on-sleeve-with-a-dagger- through-it nonsense. Yet, for In Motion, Copeland decided to mix things up and veer away from ballads and towards more rock numbers. While it is not an entire switch to suddenly a punk band or something, the difference between In Motion and Beneath Medicine Tree is rather stark on certain numbers. Accompanied by guitarist Bryan Laurenson, bassist James Likeness and drummer Jonathan Bucklew, Marsh headed into the studio with Ken Andrews to lay down ten new tracks that the band had been evolving over the past year or so. In Motion begins with heavy guitar distortion on “No One Really Wins,” which serves as the opening call to a more aggressive Copeland. After the mellower “Choose the One Who Loves You More,” comes the hot “Pin Your Wings” where Copeland lance the song with a memorable guitar riff and score major points for a superbly catchy chorus. “Sleep” is similar to previous material, with piano dominant, light instruments and Marsh’s vocals carrying the day. I was convinced for a while that there was something wrong with my player during “Kite,” but it is just an effect to make the song sound older; the song itself is average. “Don’t Slow Down” really only comes into its own on the chorus and then excels, while “Love Is a Fast Song” is skipable. Bringing back smart composition and utilizing what they are best at, “You Have My Attention” is a slow starter but helps punctuated itself by well-timed, distanced guitar riffs. The album closes on “You Love to Sing” and “Hold Nothing Back,” where the latter is a strong, acoustic driven ballad. What “Hold Nothing Back” also does is set up your move to checking out the other disc in the record featuring four acoustic live tracks recorded in December 2004. The four include “Don’t Slow Down” and “Pin Your Wings” off the record and “Coffee” and “Take Care.” While “Pin Your Wings” is inherently a good song, the acoustic version of “Don’t Slow Down” makes you appreciate it considerable more. What all four illustrate is that Copeland could simply take their acoustic act on the road be ravishingly successful. Look for Copeland to be expanding their empire during this summer.