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

The Dunes - BAD:LANDS

11/13/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Dunes

BAD:LANDS
self-released; 2014

4.2 out of 5

By Matt Jensen


I don’t think The Dunes could have picked a better album cover and name for their recent EP entitled BAD:LANDS. It didn’t take much time to get submerged into the depths of these engaging, original soundscapes that made me feel as if I was walking in a vast desert full of bandits, bad news and darkness. The Dunes, which was conceived as a two-piece and later became a five-piece consisting of Stacie Reeves, Matt Reiner, Dan Fernie Harper, Adam Vanderwerf and Jess Honeychurch have a refreshing sound that contorts shoegaze and flirts with various sub-genres.

The three songs sound huge and are layered with thematic residue that makes the songs feel like journeys through a visual simulation rather than a simple pop song. You are first invited into their world with the sprawling “Badlands.” The first thing you hear is the hum of an ominous organ that occasionally goes up a half step. All the while a distant kick surfaces and loose manipulated sounds scatter. It becomes a cohesive, trudging entity that slowly moves forward with a pulsating tom drum. 

Once the subdued yet gorgeous female vocals make their existence known I couldn't help but think maybe this is what Portishead would sound like if they just binge watched the entire first season of True Detective. With little warning the band explodes into a visceral purge of sounds at around the three- minute mark. The cymbals crash, synths blare and there was one sound I wasn’t even completely sure what it was. I don’t use the word epic too often but I think this song may deserve the honor. 

After being more than impressed by the first track I hit play on the second entitled “End Of The Beginning” while trying not to have my expectations too high. The band delivers again but this time the guitars are more present in the mix and felt a bit more “song” based this time around. I thought the vocal hook was catchy and enjoyed the unique way each phrase was panned slightly differently. 

The guitars are gritty, powerful, soaked in reverb and go through a number of badass riffs. It was a great track and on up par with the opener. They close with “A Thousand Crimes (Live Extended Mix),” which while not quite the caliber of the first two tracks but is definitely not one you will want to skip. 

BAD:LANDS is a ride that I encourage you to take. The Dunes have carved out a unique niche that defines them as a band. This day and age it may be harder to do that but The Dunes are a testament to the fact that it is possible to stick out in a sea of mediocrity. 
Become A Fan
Tweet
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