wd-han - kings of castles

WD-HAN

King Of Castles
self-released; 2014

4.0  out of 5

By Jerrica Tisdale

Guitarist Cal Henry started a Tampa Bay pop-rock band called WD-HAN ("We Don't Have A Name"). Spencer Barnes and Lea Campbell later joined the band to complete it. Barnes sings lead vocals and Campbell plays drums. WD-HAN began by covering Hendrix and rap songs, which gained them a following. Eventually WD-HAN found their own sound. A sound heavily influenced by classic rock and blues.

Kings of Castles is WD-HAN's first full-length album. The album acts as a love letter to pop and rock. Each song has a distinct story and sound but uses components that evoke memories of other songs and artists. It's as much a tribute as it is an introduction. Kings of Castles pans quickly throughout the history of a life. It's a storybook of all our deepest triumphs and failures. Some of the themes covered in Kings of Castles are youthful rebellion, fighting for dreams, legalized addiction and hope. 

The tracks on Kings of Castles contain that rare blend of a recklessly complex and intricately delicate musical production. The instrumental beats, vocals and effects create a splendid album for singing and dancing. But the lyrics take Kings of Castles out of a pop range and into a singer-songwriter one. They're deep, chilling and freeing.

The best track on the album is "The Mystery." The raw emotional vocals captivate. Its majestic lyrics blend effortlessly with the soft and hard instrumental sounds. "Young Again" works because it's a song about being young that actually fathoms how it really feels to be it. "Name in Lights" captures, through beats and lyrics, the adrenaline of taking on a limitless life. "Steady Hands" has a smooth vibe that grabs you and infects your mind until you're singing the chorus all-day.

WD-HAN shows with Kings of Castles a maturity often not seen in first effort albums. Their love, dedication and passion for music shines through with every note and line. WD-HAN's Kings of Castles captures all the elements that make a pop rock album extraordinary.

official website

Tweet