Tag: EP
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REVIEW: Snowbeast
Album: Snowbeast by Snowbeast
The upsurge of intentional lo-fi music that has pervaded the Internet lately has usually been written by artists looking to emulate roughness and obscurity through the recording means now offered on everything from Ableton Live to Pro Tools. Without question, many of these faux-fi musicians seek the warmth of analog or grittiness of a past era’s recording technology, but Snowbeast’s lo-fi tendencies and stripped aesthetic never sound over-wrought or exploitative. There is honesty within this EP that somehow gets lost or strangled out of a recording once it undergoes the slick treatments of post-production.
But Snowbeast’s strength doesn’t lie solely in its production. Vocalists Riun Garner and Brayden Pichor drawl and scream their lyrics, which hinge on the threat of growing older and the paranoia that accompanies too much change too quickly. “Backyards and alleyways/ Skateboards and roller blades/ It’s all stayed the same,” Riun sings, ending the repeated refrain with “It’s you that has changed.” At certain moments, Snowbeast break from their grungy, shout-along guitar rock to dabble in Vampire Weekend tropic stomp and electro noise, and these left turns occur only when the lyrical mood becomes harried, panicked, or even playful. Snowbeast have crafted an entire world that expands beyond their EP. Their moniker, EP title, and opener all share the same title, and their Facebook page provides a proper definition of the Snowbeast that stalks their persona. In short, to “capture a glimpse of a Snowbeast” is to witness truth, ease the mind, and retreat into a world free from pain. It’s a bare release from a bare-bones band –one that invites you into the church they recorded in and hands its music to you with delicate ease and raw emotion.
7/10
REVIEW: Carpet of Horses’ It’s Only Light EP
An EP recorded in three different countries inevitably sets up some pretty massive expectations for a worldly and sophisticated sound, right? Get this: Carpet of Horses, a project fronted by Tobin Stewart, just released It’s Only Light – and though the EP was created in the earthly cities of Toronto, Berlin, and Tel Aviv, the six tracks and the mood they evoke are almost otherworldly.
You wouldn’t think it possible, considering Stewart’s project has only 78 “likes” on Facebook. Trust us, though, when we say that that number is going to be increasing – by A LOT – sooner than you can say “Oblomov” (this is one of the most impressive tracks on It’s Only Light). While listening to the EP, it’s easy to compare the sound to that of some of indie music’s greats: we hear Elliott Smith, Death Cab for Cutie, Iron & Wine, Bright Eyes, Frightened Rabbit… are you excited to listen to these six tracks yet?
Though the first track, “Algamest”, is simply a 49-second light instrumental intro, it conveys perfectly what is to come on the rest of the EP: a whimsical, sometimes folksy, often even eerie, set of fantastic songs. The title track introduces Stewart’s airy, soothing, slightly chill-inducing voice. By “Oblomov”, we’re in indie music heaven. Stick clicks and a violin open up the tune, catapulting us into the perfection of the vocals as Stewart sighs, “Laaaaaazy bones….” The dark-yet-vibrant mood continues, until Stewart’s voice crashes into the beautiful sound of a piano and some incredibly ghostly whistling, which ushers us onward into the next track, “Stars on Montsou”, which features absolutely ideal instrumentals.
By “The Rider”, the EP’s final track, we’re almost exhausted from such ethereal and busy listening. But this song – possibly the best of all – gets us excited all over again. The soothing mixture of the simple instrumentals – featuring a piano and a trumpet – and uplifting vocals make for an entirely calming end to a perfect album, one that both keeps you on steady feet and shoots you, unapologetically, into another universe.
REVIEW: Adventures self-titled EP
Upon my first listen of Adventures self-titled EP, I realized that No Sleep Records had done it again. The album, which will drop September 11, instantly blew me away and surpassed any expectation I may have had.
The line-up of Adventures seems to go something like this:
-Three parts former Code Orange Kids members
-Two parts friends of previously mentioned members
What became of this five-piece collaboration was simplicity at its finest, ultimately birthing an indie masterpiece.
Adventures oozes heartfelt emotion throughout its entirety, starting with the first track titled “I Feel So Sure”. Reba Meyers takes control of the track from start to finish, effortlessly striking chords that ring all the way down to your insides.
The second track, “Walking”, starts off slow yet again and is a pleasant follow-up to “I Feel So Sure”. In “Walking”, Reba subtly introduces a vocal twist of melodic screams (and owns it, at that) that would be echoed in full force on the last track of the EP.
Once “Like Seed” came on, though I was saddened by the knowledge that I was three fourths of the way through the EP, I was delightfully met with a male vocal/female vocal match up that made it impossible to sulk. “I’m watching time age before me as my biggest fears face reality, I’ve never had as much confidence in anyone, and I have never been so scared” is a powerful line that Meyers sings in harmony before being met again with the male vocals and, simultaneously, ending the song out together with a perfect display of lyrical repetition. Out of the four tracks, this one hit the hardest with me. The band released the song to viewers online and can be heard here.
The last track off Adventures, “Reach Out To You”, would be considered the heaviest of the four tracks. The subtle melodic screams mentioned in “Walking” are predominant in this track, giving it a sound of its own and validating its need to be premiered as the first released track of the EP.
The anticipation of their self-titled EP has been mounting all over (and for good reason. Adventures was featured in in Absolutepunk.net’s top 100 of 2012, who spoke of the EP as a “fabricated blanket of harmonies and heartbreak, worthy of anyone’s sweater and Hemingway collection”.
Adventures’ sound could easily be related to fellow indie rockers, Tigers Jaw, or Lemuria. But, with a sound like theirs, you really don’t need to compare. When something works so well on its own it is best to take it for what it is and enjoy.
Don’t just take my word for it! Head on over to the band’s Facebook page and see for yourself.
REVIEW: Lowtalker Marathon EP
Lowtalker is the combined effort of former Living With Lions, Misery Signals, and Comeback Kid members who will be releasing their debut EP, The Marathon, under No Sleep Records on September 18th.
Stu Ross, Matt Keil, and Casey Hjelmberg formed the band in 2008, naming themselves after a reference to the “Puffy Shirt” episode of Seinfield.
Ross, who was born in Canada, essentially fronts the band as the singer, while also playing the guitar and contributing as one of the songwriters. What he brings musically is matched by what he brings visually, having done the artwork for the first EP, People Worry About Everything. Keil plays bass, sings, and assumes the role of the mathematical brain in relation to the business. Hjelmberg plays the guitar (and takes credit for coming up with the band’s name).
Upon first listen to The Marathon, I realized that pinpointing a particular band to compare their sound to wouldn’t be an easy task. Their post-hardcore/punk roots definitely flare through, but each member brings something unique to create a fresh sound.
The EP kicks off with the song “Like Minnows”, a fast-paced, personal recount of seemingly personal experiences with life’s relationships, making it easy to relate to.
“Tensions” is the second track and has a sound of its own. If I were to choose, I would claim it as my favorite of them all. Repetitive hooks and catchy melodies get me every time.
Self-medicating seems to be an underlying theme throughout the EP, sounding loud and clear in the third track, “Prescriptions”. In our interview conducted earlier this month, Ross revealed that the song is based on a family member of his that has dealt with prescription drug abuse for the last 20+ years.
The EP ends with the appropriately-titled track “Chances” that sings of hopefully looking forward, letting go of your past, and the ghosts that can haunt you if you let them.
Lowtalker will be the hitting the road in October for a short stint of touring which includes a show in their hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Personally, this was a great listen from start to finish and will be on repeat for awhile in my musical library. What I find nice about this EP is that it can be enjoyed as a morning starter, a musical night-cap, and anything in between.
Be sure to check out Lowtalker. Catch a show and snag a copy of the EP once released later this month.
Dead Ellington’s Refuse EP proves punk is still alive
Alright, kids- we are taking it back a little bit and proving punk is not dead but still alive and kicking just as much as Henry Rollins. I present to you as evidence a punk band on the rise called Dead Ellington out of Boston, MA. Their EP entitled Refuse dropped this past May and was recorded in Asbury Park, NJ with Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls. The Refuse EP is Dead Ellington’s third release (the first of a three-part series). The group has the classic feel of 80s and 90s skate-punk complete with poppy snare, super toned distorted bass, great guitar riffs, and angsty vocals. Their first song, “The Question,” is reminiscent of older Rise Against. The next song, “College Credit,” is extremely catchy, with the chorus chanting “Are you like your friends, are you like your friends?” It’s definitely my favorite song off of the EP. Another great song is “Miracle,” with its slightly calmer tune and chorus of “I wish I was a f*cking miracle, a shooting star, I wish I was, I wish I was”.
A little background on the band- Dead Ellington recorded their first full-length album in 2011 titled Refuse Rethink Rebuild. It was recorded/produced by Big D and the Kid’s Table’s Steve Foote and mastered by Stephen Egerton of Descendents fame. The album hit number 19 on the CMJ Top 200 Chart. DE have played alongside Big D and the Kid’s Table, The Lawrence Arms, and The Loved Ones. Twice they have been a part of Vans Warped Tour and played many of Boston’s premiere rock clubs. Dead Ellington is here to put the message back in music, to raise awareness, and to question. They are Refusers. They are Rethinkers. They are Rebuilders.
Give them a listen, and be sure to check out our interview with them! I recommend this band to anyone that likes skate punk, or older pioneer punk in general. They are worth it!
Members:
Sal Ellington – Vocals, Acoustic, Samples
Jason Caira – Vocals, Lead Guitar
James Sullivan – Rhythm Guitar
Brandon Phillips – Bass Guitar
Craig Stanton – Drums
REVIEW: Christian Bitto’s “The September Call-Up” EP
Christian Bitto, a self-named musician from Philadelphia, PA, is a new artist to watch in the indie/rock scene.
While mainly acoustic-driven, he is accompanied in his live shows by bandmates Niall Hood on bass and Jesse Gimbel on drums to create an intimate trio that can range from quiet, soft, finger-picked melodies to emotional rock.
After giving Bitto’s EP, The September Call-Up, a listen, his voice instantly reminded me of Oliver Sim from London’s indie band The XX, while the instrumentals made me think of softer Brand New and Jimmy Eat World, as well as the clean reverb affect given by Chris Isaak’s Gretsch 6120.
The opening song, “Next to You”, has great vocals- pure and in its simplest form- guitar with slight distortion and simple chords, and a great bass and drums to back and compliment it. I love songs like these. It reminds me of a great CD I got as a kid called Sweet Lowland by Dodd Ferrelle, so in a way it evokes a bittersweet nostalgia for me. The next is called “Daylight”, and it’s just Bitto himself and a guitar. It’s a lovely, soft fingerpicked acoustic song… “the glimmer of light that shines in the dark, is that your beating heart, your beating heart? “ is saddening in a way. The final song in the EP, “Mickey’s Song”, is another fingerpicked song which seems to be about him traveling and away from a loved one. Beautiful song.
It was a perfect mix in my opinion- very clean, calming, and simple. Listening to this EP for the first time during a docile summer thunderstorm in a local coffee shop made the atmosphere that much more enjoyable and relaxed.
I definitely recommend to VM readers and music lovers to keep up with him and his band and see what these guys have to offer.
To check out the EP right now, visit Bitto’s Bandcamp page. Also be sure to follow him on Facebook!