#e.p review

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Artist: ROAM Album: Viewpoint E.P Genre: Pop Punk Released: 27th January 2015

After accumulating a cult like following that is growing larger and larger by the day through touring with the likes of Neck Deep and Man Overboard in the coming weeks as well as their first UK headline dates; ROAM grace our ears with their latest offering Viewpoint to demonstrate once and for all what all the fuss is about.

Opening track “Over Your Head” doesn’t mess around with a brief introduction before storming into crashing chords, thrashing drum beats fighting for dominance over a driving bass line and yelping, course vocals that can switch to melodic and heartfelt within seconds in one quick burst of power and one ominous rolling crash of the cymbals. “Warning Sign” has a worryingly similar formula which can give the impression at first that this will be a generic pop punk e.p; though it does offer differentiality as the song continues with a slower tempo and a higher focus on the relatable although stereotypically pop punk lyrics over their musical talent alone. “519” is arguably the strongest track within this e.p with a grittier more punk feel to it with chords deep and dark, reminiscent of the very roots pop punk came from that work brilliantly with gritty shouts and create a pleasing yet strange juxtaposition against soulful and soothing vocals alike instead of just sticking to the tried and tested styles that the band are comfortable with. Closing track “Safeguard” begins broodingly with the warning beat of the drums before plunging into verses to throw your whole body around to built with sharp and screamingly loud guitar hooks, a deep and gloomy bass line that provides the heartbeat that keeps the song alive with the pulse of the beating drums and deafening cymbals although it does not provide a satisfying climax or definitive end that would of finished this e.p off in a neat and tidy fashion, although its rough and abrupt end matches the general style of the songs overall that has been demonstrated.

It would have been easy for ROAM to fall into the pile of generic pop punk bands reaching fame quickly through social network hype and a few brief tours, though this record shows that the band have more than put passion, time and their accumulated talent into proving their worth within the pop punk scene with this well crafted and energetic e.p.

]HT�/!a

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Artist: State Champs Album: The Acoustic Things E.P Genre: Pop Punk Released: 6th October 2014

After the release of The Finer Things in 2013, New York pop punk poster boys State Champs have propelled to the forefront of the pop punk uprising amassing over seventy five thousand likes on social networking sites, playing festivals across the globe, touring with the likes of The Wonder Years, Cartel, We Are The In Crowd and pop punk legends New Found Glory. What could possibly top all of these achievements? Well, a re-imagining of our favourite; or my favourite at least, tracks from smash hit release The Finer Things and a few new little treats.

Intro track “Elevated” is given a complete re-vamp taking it from a tumultuous party-going track to a slow and winding ode; drawing focus away from the driving riffs of the original and onto the visceral, heartfelt lyrics that are often detracted away from by the bands feel good style. They can’t sound too harsh however with master of melody vocalist Derek Discanio at the helm with a voice that could break any heart in two whilst also making you fall in love, notably demonstrated in “Deadly Conversation”, an already relatively slow track to begin with, is now an atmospheric ballad with the piercing chords of the acoustic guitars and layered vocals cutting at every heart string coupled with thoroughly relatable and saddening lyrics. Both “Hard to Please” and “Simple Existence” manage to keep the same punch their electric counterparts on the Finer Things held with acoustic guitars thrashing against bellowing vocals from the whole band as one sending shivers down your spine, before moving into the end of The Finer Things part of the album with “closing” track “Easy Enough”, my favourite State Champs song made better with a more noticeable juxtaposition of pop elements in melodic vocals and a soft tempo, and punk elements of the song with gang vocals, lyrical content and the thrashing guitars providing a rich display of musical talent. Brand new tracks “Leave You In The Dark” and “If I’m Lucky” preview a possible softer and almost groovier direction the band may go in, with more explorative and stronger vocal styles, nifty guitar techniques not common in pop punk right now and an all round break away from the generic conventions of pop punk that could prove risky, but I believe they pull off incredibly well for they are not a one trick pony or a generic pop punk band by any definition, they are a group of truly talented musicians, dedicated to making music for the love of it, and it shows through the sheer quality of every release.

[lsradio]

Bear's Den// New E.P

You can get Bear’s Den’s first EP one of 2 ways. Either you pick one up at a live show, or if like me you don’t get one at the gig you have to go through a process of sending the band an email and waiting for them to reply with a secret password, which you will then need to enter into their personal online store. Then and only then, will you be able to order the EP. And you’ll probably have to wait another 2 weeks for it to arrive.

So is the hassle worth it? Most definitely. Lovingly crafted by the three piece in a welsh cottage, their brand of simple chilled out folk is a pleasure to listen to. The EP is underpinned by the well-balanced interactions between the two guitarists. Andrew Davie’s acoustic guitar, which provides often intricate repeated melodies, blends wonderfully with the more powerful rougher sound of Kev Jones’ electric guitar (which he switches for a banjo on Pompeii). On tracks such as Hard life, the band moves from a bare-bones melody at the beginning, to a loud swelling resonance by the end that gives Bear’s Den a distinctive sound.

The vocals are rich and full of emotion and the tight harmonies give the songs a sense of well-polished unity. The song compositions are strong throughout with the highlight of the five tracks being Pompeii – a track that takes Davie’s acoustic guitar, combines it with a banjo and simple percussion, to create a beautifully tragic song about the death of a loved one. There’s no big tricks here, no unnecessary embellishments, just the three band members whose instruments and voices are wonderfully combined in a great collection of songs. And to top it all off, in an attempt to make the EP truly theirs, the album packaging is even crafted by the band (with a potato printed bear claw on the front of the CD sleeve).

So what’s the downside? How much of a hipster you will sound like when you tell your friends about this tiny folk three piece who’s EP takes three weeks to arrive because it was hand-printed… in a welsh cottage.

/ Thomas Kirby

[creaturemag-blog]

The Darlingtons - New Independent (e.p.)

The Darlingtons three track debut EP, aptly named New Independent, has firmly established this fledgling band on the list of up-and-coming talent. Originating from the Somerset town of Taunton, this four piece indie group has gone from strength to strength; playing gigs from Shrewsbury to London and signing to Ordered Records, an independent label. Their recent live dates in the capital have certainly not gone unnoticed within indie circles and momentum is growing for this south western band. They are a group who want to keep their feet firmly on the ground, while creating head turning music. Released on the 25th July 2011, New Independent certainly offers a taste of things to come for The Darlingtons.

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/11939696"]

This is the kind of EP you could imagine listening to on a hot, long summer road trip- don’t let the track ‘Winter’ fool you. The Darlingtons have definitely scored points with their sweeping guitar melodies and confident beat. ‘It Hangs’ checks the pre-requisit box for the toe-tapping qualities and resonating tune one would expect from an indie band. As the chorus kicks in the track explodes into a raw and expressive sound; a sound which continues to evolve throughout the rest of the tracks on the EP. ‘Sirens and Flashing Lights’ again treats the listener to another blast of hard-hitting melodies, where clear influences from The National can be distinguished.

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/11938268"]

The lyrics to each tune on the EP will strike a chord with the listener. They tap into something which each and every one of us can relate to; love, hate, ambivalence, the words cover it all. Maybe this is the norm within modern indie rock, yet the lyrics in New Independent seem to hint at a different class of song writing.

New Independent has a similar sound to indie contemporaries such as The Editors and White Lies. Perhaps its forlorn lyrics, the lead singer’s doleful voice (reminiscent of Ian Curtis of Joy Division) or the injection of synthesizers which draws us to that comparison.  On the flip-side there is also something idiosyncratically fresh about the band.

Whilst The Darlingtons are aware of their originality, their uniqueness will become more obvious with time. That being said, New Independent is a fantastic breakthrough EP for such a young band. Brilliantly thought out and musically engaging, the tracks really set The Darlingtons in good stead to make it big.

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/629183" height="200"]

RATING: 4/5 The calibre of the tracks are impressive and indicate this band is one to watch out for in the near future. SOUNDS LIKE: Joy Division, The Editors, The Rakes, White Lies, Manchester-indie scene