Review Summary: Featuring melodic indie rock with very progressive roots, My Epic's debut EP is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Very seldom do you find a band whose 5 song debut EP is so close to perfect that it sends chills up and down your spine, especially in modern music. My Epic, a three-piece, nearly unclassifiable rock group that has recently signed to Dreamt Music with Facedown Records is one of those few bands. The degree of beauty, aesthetics and melody on this EP is simply astounding and will make the listener return to it over and over again, each time finding something different about the songs in the beautiful atmosphere established throughout the EP.
The amount of sheer beauty on this album is almost unmatchable, rivaling the beautiful falsettos and and sweeping melodies of bands such as Sigur Ros as well as the emotional intensity of emotional hardcore heroes Circle Takes The Square. The EP begins with
Shadows , and quickly establishes the band's unmistakable melodic sound. It also shows the genius musicianship this band uses, to establish much more atmosphere than one would think possible of only three men. The aural takeover of This Is Rescue has already begun.
The vocals are sweet and alluring, but at the same time intense and carry an incredible weight upon them. Vocal harmonies are quite common on this EP, but they are not overdone; mainly because each time the harmonies are a little different and add depth to the song. The vocal work on this album is certainly one of the many standout points, and they hold a simple beauty even without the amazing musicianship that lies throughout This Is Rescue. The lyrical content may be the only thing standing in the way of someone enjoying this EP, as all of the songs are based upon Christianity and Christian topics, but not to a preachy, pushy level. If you can look past this one point that some would find unattractive (or some may find pleasant, depending on one's beliefs), you will definitely not be disappointed. The lyrics, whether deemed unattractive or not, are incredibly well written. An exerpt from
...And We Were So Close To Perfection shows lyrical prowess behind these young men: "
Has courage fled for newer brides, and traded truth for alibis, that I alone of dozen strong should witness your demise? " as well as the beautifully poetic
En Machaerus : "
If you can claim the skies and calm the seas, give sight to lifeless eyes, and set the captives free, I know that you can raise the dead to life and comfort me." There is a single scream on this entire album at the end of
The Making Of A Recluse and you can truly just feel the emotion oozing out of it.
The guitar work on this EP is probably the most intriguing that I have ever heard from a young band. The use of delay is used to create an incredible aesthetic feel throughout the entire twenty minutes of the debut. Intricate guitar lines, combined with this delay simply will astound the listener. Guitar harmonies are used tastefully, as they are used not too much, but just enough. Techniques used in many different genres are used throughout the five songs, even complete with a slow sweep picking line in
The Common Curse . It's very hard to describe the guitars because they are just so beautifully done and so unique. The drums are nothing too special, but are well executed, and perfect for the music. Every now and then, the drummer will throw in a little intricate fill or beat, but he spends most of his time keeping the foundation of this aural journey very solid. The EP ends with one of the best closers that I have ever heard on anything, and probably the best EP closer I've heard.
En Machaerus is simply the perfect ending to this beautiful endeavor showcasing some of the most beautiful and most epic guitar work on the entire EP. The ending of the song rivals the beauty of Dredg, Sigur Ros, and other melodic outfits. White Walls from Between The Buried And Me comes to mind as the song is truly of epic proportions.
Pros:
Superb vocal work
Superb guitar work
Amazing atmosphere
Very well written songs and lyrics
Cons:
Lyrics may be too "preachy" for some
Only 5 tracks :(
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
The debut full-length will be released on August 5th.
http://www.myspace.com/myepic
