Check out indie rockers Read Between the
Lions and Tom’s Story
by rick olivares
The local music scene is teeming
with good bands and places to gig. With all the noise, news feed, and chatter
brought about by the internet and technology, it is easy to miss out on hidden
gems.
Here are two local bands with
albums that are definitely worth checking out. Their albums have been out for a
bit and maybe I should have written this much earlier but better late than have
that void in your soul missing out on some great music.
Pride by Read Between the Lions
When Eric Po left indie rockers
We Are Imaginary, I wondered what he’d do next. Instead of pounding the skins
for his new outfit, it turns out he’s playing guitar and singing. And yes, his
new band, Read Between the Lions is a delight to listen to and watch.
This four-piece indie rock outfit
(Eric Po, Jerros Dolino, Jordan Constantino, and Lloyd Corpuz) aside from
coming out with a most excellent extended play debut in “Pride” is also
challenging Ang Bandang Shirley for the heaviest if not the healthiest band in
the land. You have to check them out to understand that last point.
However more to that, Read
Between the Lions have a knack for writing good melodies that have you humming,
singing along, and tapping your feet. Plus, you’ll want to get down and dance
too. Their live performances are kinetic that both band and audience work up a
sweat!
On the six-track EP, from the
moment the opening track “Boy On Fire” comes on you’re infected with the sheer
joy of their music... hoo hooo!
“Runway Lights” is next and you’re
singing along to the chorus “shooting at the plane, shooting at the sky”. Can
you say, “infectious”?
If you’re going to ask me who do
they sound like well, they’re like a cross between Third Eye Blind, Weezer, and
Death Cab for Cutie – rocking out to oblique concepts and references but with
deep meaning.
This is a great CD to pop into
your car stereo. It sounds great at night when it’s all quiet. It’s an album –
here’s my own oblique reference – where the guy least likely to hit a home run steps
up to the plate and bashes one over the wall.
And that is what Read Between the
Lion’s “Pride” is all about. A wonderful debut.
Pick up the album if you know
what is good for you (look them up on Facebook for details).
Tom’s Story
It would be easy to simplify
Tom’s Story as an Explosions in the Sky-influenced band. If Explosions in the
Sky is like a soundtrack to some film, Tom’s Story, paints sonic landscapes
that have you interpreting it with your own imagination.
Tom’s Story is like that first
band that you perform where you rock out to a riff and just go crazy. Except
this three-piece outfit (Tom on bass, Gabba on guitars, and Degs on drums) has
a story to tell.
Yet like any story, you have to
appreciate the band’s odd time signatures such as the opening track of their self-titled
debut titled “Anchors” that like any good story has its twists and turns. The
next two tracks – titled “Dream” and “Catcher” segue into each other and form
like two parts of a song.
The closing track, “Mugatu”, is a
masterpiece. Over six minutes long, “Mugatu” sort of sums up the entire album.
It starts off with a pensive mood then builds up. The instrumental is the only
one with any spoken word and the band choruses “hey” several times.
No, need. You’ve been had from
‘Anchors”.
I lie that fact that the music
isn’t densely layered so each of the instruments shine. They use effects to a
minimum with their technical expertise on full display. However, the guitar
wizardry of Gabba is part of the appeal of this album. The thing about
listening to instrumental rock bands is not to let your attention waver. Tom’s
Story’s infusion of flat out rockers keeps you keen and totally engrossed.
This is another album you must
have if you like good music. Check them out too on Facebook to inquire how to
get their album.
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