Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Sleeping Limbs - From Indian Lakes

From Indian Lakes is a band that has a sense of depth and attention to detail that is hard to find nowadays. When I first discovered them opening for Lydia, The Maine, and Anberlin, I found them to be far more impressive than Lydia, and equally as professional as the two headliners who had quite a bit more experience. They have a sound that is fully their own, and they know how to put on a fantastic show while still remaining humble and grateful to their fans.

When I discovered that a new album, Absent Sounds, was to be released in October, I was ecstatic to say the least. If the lead single, "Sleeping Limbs", is any indication of the rest of the album, then I foresee this being one of my favorite albums of the year. It is able to be both upbeat and relaxed, haunting and beautiful, a mixing of contrasts that blend in a marvelous manner. The sharp drum hits complement the smooth guitar lines in the verses, and the instrumental erupts in the layers that create a mesmerizing depth in the chorus. And Joey Vannuchi's vocals are on point as always, this time displaying a more calm side, yet still retaining power and a sense of intensity that makes his voice one of the most memorable today.

If you have never given these guys a listen, you will not be disappointed. Check out "Sleeping Limbs" and the rest of their works on Spotify, and fall in love.

5/5

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Avalanche - Brave City

Brave City, the alternative-rock outfit from the San Francisco Bay Area, is gearing up to release their second album Intentions on July 26th. To build momentum, they've released the gritty and explosive single "Avalanche". Recorded and mixed by some of the band members themselves, the song radiates a DIY attitude and passion that can be lost in the glossy radio hits. With a back and forth nature in the vocals, the listener (or at least me) is definitely reminded of a "Deja Entendu" Brand New era-sound. It's got that raw energy that makes you tap your foot along and grin because it just feels good. The contrast between the verses and the chorus is stellar, with the switches being sudden but not choppy. While most of the instrumentation leans towards the guitar/drum side, the inclusion of a synth at certain points like the bridge adds an extra level of depth and richness to the song that you might not expect. Overall, it is definitely a solid intro to what could be a great album from a local band.

Rating: 8/10
Sounds Like: Brand New, Manchester Orchestra, Modest Mouse