Full disclosure: I don’t really listen to a lot of newer guitar and drum based music anymore. Not much past anything released after 2004 roughly. Sure there are a few songs here and there I’ve liked, but In the last few years there probably has been only a handful of rock records that I’ve enjoyed front to back. One of the bands I have enjoyed though is Twenty Centuries of Stony Sleep, which contains two of my cousins in law (outlaws?) Alexi and Dwight. So when Alexi told me the band was releasing a new EP “She Dreamed a Drought”, and would like my two cents on it, I was stoked. I threw it on the system, gave it a listen, and was thoroughly impressed. Because I am cheap and have free wordpress I can’t upload any audio so check out another review here by imveryape where you can stream 3 of the tracks. {official site and iTunes links below}
This EP basically consists of six tracks equaling 21 minutes of anthems. The songs have an air of familiarity about it, where you can vaguely decipher the influences without being overwhelmed by them. This is a testament to its uniqueness. It has a bit of a pop sheen to it without being over-polished or losing any of its rawness or punch. By no means is this a straight ahead pop record, nor is it one of those indie rock records where they are completely devoid of melody. The EP is a showcase for the versatility of the band as it starts with the driving, chunky riffs of the opening track “Confluence” followed by the crunchy chords and falsetto in “I Invoke Ragnorok”. The third track, “White Hospital Room” which is my favorite of the EP, has a fantastic surf rockish/50s vibe complete with a fantastic rolling beat and bassline, dueling guitar lead riffs, and offsetting harmonized vocals.
Track 4 “Something Temporary” is a bit of an interlude complete with with an acoustic backbone, a twinkling piano, and a bit of introspection. The volume gets turned back up in the chugging “Vertical Stranger” and EP closes with the soaring epic jam session “Heartstrings”. The lyrics are thoughtful throughout the EP and bear repeated listening.
All in all, a very solid, confident, well produced release. The EP has a very concise, cohesive quality about it, and functions well as a whole. It’s a reminder that rock isn’t quite dead yet, and that you don’t have to pander to nostalgia to be enjoyable. Or that you don’t need an EDM bass drop or a Drake verse to build a catchy song in 2014.
LINKS:
For more info visit the Official Band Website.
Here Is No Why 