Still Flux - Still Flux

Still Flux

​Still Flux
self-released; 2016

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
​

Still Flux is a band that formed in 2015 and somehow already released Still Flux a self-titled ten-song full-length album. The band comprised of John Castillo, Johnny Syriani, Luke Winer and David Hernon play straightforward rock. They point to bands like Foo Fighters, Tame Impala and Arctic Monkeys as like minded bands but I can’t say I found that much similar to these bands especially Tame Impala. One thing I did notice was that Castillo sounds like a rock singer from the ’80s more often than not on this album. It’s the inflection in his  voice (especially when he goes for higher notes and has to strain his voice) and his general delivery which made me more than once think about hair metal or some other band to come out of the ’80s.

Being such a young band It's not much of a surprise that they don’t have much of a defined sound at this point. The songs follow a lot of tropes from their lyrics to standard guitar solos. That being said the songwriting is consistent if a little scattered.

The band starts with “Keep Moving On.” It’s one of the highlights. The verse has a Franz Ferdinand/The Strokes type vibe. During the chorus there is a poppy ‘80s vibe which is mostly due to the vocal delivery. I’d say the thing that stuck out most about the song was the drumming which was un-relentless.  He reminded me of Animal from the Muppets at points. So many fills that you could easily make the argument he was a little overzealous.

“Better Off” is a straightforward rock song which was pleasant but also felt like a myriad of other songs. It was well written and has a good energy. I have to say the drumming again is almost comically intense. A simple beat would suffice at times and Hernon just isn’t having any of it.

“Lonely Lover” sounds like it came straight out of the ’80’s from the lyrics to the music. For better or worse there is just no denying this fact. The band mellows out with “More Than A Friend” while “Big Sur” is a  slightly psychedelic highlight. “Bird And The Wind” is the centerpiece and arguably the most ambitious song. The band hits their finest moment which is the most subtle around the four-minute mark. 

​For as little as they have been together the band released an impressive debut. On the other hand I’d also like to hear the band step away from some of the more standard rock tropes and develop more of a sound that defines the band on their sophomore release. They have some skill and talent. I just think it’s still a work in progress.

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