Ideas - Ides

Ideas

Ides
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Andrew Westberry

Four-piece rock band Idea has been in existence for over two years, but their recently released Ides EP, a collection of the first songs the band wrote as a group, is their debut release. With stylistic influence taken from art rock, rock & roll, and post-hardcore, the EP serves as a diverse testimony to the band’s unique sound.

The EP begins with “Read Letters” an ambiently melodic, delay-filled riff accompanied by upbeat drums and light strumming and stepping bass lines. The vocals, wistful yet powerful, layer on top of the instrumentation, which gives way to strong power chords in the song’s chorus. The hard-hitting facet of the band infiltrates throughout the song, giving an edge to even the more harmonious portions of the tune.

“El Tigre Chino” and “Currents” are both based upon minor keys that give the songs an ominous, looming aura. These two tracks are chock full of sultry rich chording, mostly straightforward percussion providing a solid foundation, and a balanced blend between singing and screaming, leaving the listener in anticipation of what the next measure will bring to his or her ears.

The EP slows down for the intro of “Beat Around the Bush” before picking back up the energy in the rest of the song. Eventually, the strong backbone of the band’s sound emerges towards the end of the track, but the gradual buildup makes this song the most interesting listen on the EP. The instrumental “Darkroot Garden” and the spirited “A. L. L.” follow suit, furnishing a dynamically diversified experience.

Coming to a finale in the longest track in both title and length, “Geoff Chapman, and the Daddy Long Legs” feels like a conglomeration of the elements present in the preceding tracks on the album. Even as the song closes in on the seven-minute mark, there is so much variety in style and sound that the listener detects no unnecessary or tedious repetition. As a whole, Ides EP brings a face to the band Ideas and provides potential fans with the material needed to convince them to support the band wholeheartedly.

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