Label: Sonic Unyon/Noyes Records
Rating: 4/10

Nova Scotia based trio are set to release the follow-up to their 2012 release “A Ghost History” with their EP titled “The Moon Is Shining Our Way” on July 1st via Sonic Unyon. Recorded in Toronto, the four-song EP gives life to the garage-punk sound of the band that is strongly reminiscent of the 90’s music scene. Although the effort is commendable, the EP fails to stand out amongst other works of the genre.

The opening track of the EP, “Eternal and Debased” introduces the band’s garage-like sound and throughout it’s course, presents few redeeming qualities. The lead singer’s voice, a whisper over the loud and overpowering guitar and drums, does not project enough in order to be heard and felt. Throughout the album, the band seem to be reluctant to step out of their comfort zone, as each song is similar to the other and this puts the music at a risk of sounding monotonous. The title track “The Moon Is Shining Our Way” bares similarity in its musical arrangement to the work of bands such as Blink 182 and the Smashing Pumpkins and helps contribute to the album’s distinct 90’s feel. The closing track “The Double” sees the band take a step back from the their almost algorithmic musical arrangement of high-tempo drumming backed by crunchy electric guitar riffs to a slower, much darker, song. However, the music once again outshines the vocals, which are barely audible and this, in my opinion, negatively impacts the quality of the song.

Perhaps it is due to the fact that this particular genre is not my cup of tea but as a listener, I was left unimpressed by this EP. Finding it rather monotonous, the EP is not an ideal portrayal of the garage-punk-rock genre as a whole and hence, I would not recommend it to those just being introduced to this field of music. 

http://www.sonicunyon.com/

Mariam Aamir