Looks Like Rain - A Light Breaks Through

Looks Like Rain

​A Light Breaks Through
self-released; 2015

​3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Cody Dalman, Damian Anthony, Jeremie Grandbois, Mike Shirley and Mike Warren are the members of Looks Like Rain. On their recent release A Light Breaks Through they bring us a brand of pop-punk that was especially popular about fifteen years ago with bands like A Day To Remember, Funeral For A Friend, etc.

The genre still hasn’t died and more bands than ever seem to be spreading their own interpretation of the genre. The songs on A Light Breaks Through veer toward a harder, heavy metal edge. For example the background vocalists occasionally let out demon-like growls and some of the sections within the songs could be considered straight up metal.

All things considered Looks Like Rain is an above average pop-punk band and A Light Breaks Through can hang out with commercial releases from popular bands. The production and recording quality is top-notch and was obviously recorded in a professional studio by someone who knew what they were doing.

The band kicks off with “Your Best Kept Secret”. The initial riff is a sludgey, heavy riff. I enjoyed it but once the verse kicks in the band goes in pop-punk mode. Singers in pop-punk tend to have nasally voices for some reason but that wasn’t the case hear. In all honest I find those nasally singers annoying and was glad I didn’t hear any of that from this singer. Overall, the song is catchy and well delivered. Up next is “High Priestess.” The melodic guitar and bass action on the verse is great. Once the chorus comes the music is a tad more predictable.

“Tsunami” is another solid track, which displays the dynamic versatility and technical prowess of the band. The highlight of the album was “Shadow Casting” which contains stellar guitar work especially when it came to the fills. The chorus was especially memorable on this track.

If you are a fan of the pop-punk genre I can’t see why you wouldn’t want this four-song EP in your collection. The band can deliver on a number of levels. Recommended.

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