Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Emporia - lighthouse

9/10/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Emporia

Lighthouse
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen


I’m glad I get to hear Emporia in their proper form as a full band. Last year they dropped Acoustic, which as its name signifies contains songs performed acoustically. It was a stripped down effort that was accessible but with their EP Lighthouse the band breaks out the distorted electric guitars, pounding drums and a steady bass to bring an onslaught of energy we haven't yet heard from them before. The band is barely out of high school and seems to be off to a good start. Sure, the lead singer does in fact sound like he is about nineteen and the riffs aren't the most original ones you will hear this year but they are in a developmental stage.

The quality of the recording could still use some work but certainly it is not bad. Sometimes I noticed the guitars could have used a bit more meat and the vocal had a live sound they could have benefitted from a bit of processing. All in all the quality here was only a minor issue and didn't hold back the songs too much from being impactful. 

They start the album with one of the best tracks entitled “Morning.” The lead guitar delivers a circular riff that will instantly grab your attention. It isn't too long before the band is plowing through power chords and vocals by Ben Barsocchini. Barsocchini’s lyrics revolve around love, lust and loss. He sings; “Since you said it was all too much I've been running circles in my head Dreams like these are never sweet I wake up from seeing you in my sleep.”

This song also shows the band flexing their muscles, as there is a wicked guitar solo and complex drumming. The highlight of the EP for me was “Scatterbrained,” which had a good combo of hardcore and old-fashioned grunge. The drums crash with sharp consistency as the guitars tread through a number of solid rock riffs. They close with “Escapist” in which they experiment with a couple of new sounds including what I believe was a backward sounding guitar.

The band is solid but they have some work ahead of them to be distinct act. This EP shows the band has talent that they can hopefully refine as their sound matures. 
Become A Fan
bandcamp
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact