Apollo Hero - Apollo Hero

Apollo Hero

​Apollo Hero
self-released; 2017

​3.8 out of 5

By Dan Weston

Apollo Hero is a band from Alabama consisting of Cade Cashen (vocals/guitar), Nick Markow (vocals/guitar), James Patton (bass) and Lance McAskill (drums). They play mostly upbeat rock that would make the audience dance at a festival that could come in various forms. On their self-titled album Apollo Hero some songs veer more towards straight rock, others have a Dave Matthews band buoyancy to them and there are other styles as well.

I have to mention that the band went to a professional studio to record. On top of that it was mastered by Bernie Grundman who is unequivocally one of the best mastering engineers around today. The production and recording quality is truly top notch and professional sounding. If you want to be competitive with professional bands this is the quality you need to shoot for.

The songs weren’t challenging but a blast to listen to. They open with “Listen” which is fairly indicative of the tone and pace of the album. The band is tight and I especially loved the way the bass work was strategically placed. The song is also catchy and has a lot of energy.

That jam band Dave Matthews vibe is very strong on “Misdirection” but “Dangerous” plays into a more modern rock sound comparable to bands like The Killers. The songs start to flow and the band finds their groove after that.

“Chelsea's Song” was a highlight. I loved the bluesy vibe here and the soulful vocal performance. “Ruins” is atmospheric and emotionally resonant while “Now Forever” has a pop vibe that sheds rock almost entirely. They close with “Rearview” which is an eight-plus-minute song where they jam and get down. 

My only issue with the album is that it could have been more cohesive. It's not like they are attempting hip-hop or anything but a number of the songs seem to reflect a distinct blend of genre rather than a defined style that reoccurs. 

Overall, this band released a great album. They are accomplished musicians who can bring the goods

official website

Tweet