East Island City
Artist: East Island City
Mini-Album: Me And What Army?
Personnel:
Greg McLoughlin : Vocals
Steve Grealy : Guitar
Stephen Hyland : Bass
Andrew Curran : Guitar
Justin Capocci : Drums
Track Listing:
1 – Feels Like Home To Me
2 – No Tomorrow
3 – Me And What Army?
4 – The Borderline
5 – You Are The Light
6 – Nobody’s Gonna Miss Us (Bonus Track)
Stand Out Track: Nobody’s Gonna Miss Us
Review:
The latest cd to find its way onto my desk is from a five piece band from Dublin city on the east coast of Ireland, which IS in fact an Island in case you didn’t know. Why am I telling you this? Because for once I can actually figure out why a band decided upon their band name! The band in question brilliantly called themselves East Island City. I love it when a band name makes perfect sense. Formed back in May 2010, the band quickly released their debut EP in July the same year. Pretty soon they were supporting the likes of Framing Hanley, Twin Atlantic and My Passion, and even managed to get an endorsement from Blackstar Amps. So on the back of all this information, I have their new mini-album, Me And What Army? sitting in front of me. So what are we waiting for? Let’s stick it in the Wurlitzer and press play!
The first impression you get is that this is going to be a nice relaxed, acoustic album. Feels Like Home To Me consists of just vocals accompanied by acoustic guitar. Relaxing and soothing. Greg McLoughli has a beautiful tone to his voice, but if you listen carefully, there is an edge, a slight rawness being held back. That alone should’ve prepared me for the next track, No Tomorrow. With its pop-punk style and infectious hook, it really gets into your head. It is an extremely catchy tune that is superbly produced, with just the right amount of that typical pop-punk brittle guitar sound which combines well with the angst ridden vocals over a solid rhythm section.
The title track, Me And What Army? then comes thundering in with its express train drumming and frenzied guitar riff and even though it’s not the strongest track on the album, it’s certainly one that will no doubt become a staple of the live set, with its angry power and shouty chorus. The Borderline starts in typical EIC style, then softens and expands into quite a melodramatic piece with McLoughli showcasing his vocal range. The chorus is lyrically very, very good and once again incredibly catchy. The piano is the star of the song though, offering up a slightly different side to the band, although in places it’s dampened down by everything else going on.
You Are The Light is much less frantic than the rest of the album. Simpler in terms of not as much going on, yet still has clever touches of musicianship and the bass is much more in the forefront, yet not overpowering. The most chart friendly song on the album.
With its male and guest female vocals, bonus track Nobody’s Gonna Miss Us is another direction for the band. It still retains that pop-punk EIC sound, yet possibly slighty more Indie-pop. This track is definitely the highlight of the album, with its anthem style, catchy chorus and great vocal performances.
Me And What Army? is a good pre-curser to a full length album. If East Island City mix in plenty of tracks along the lines of The Borderline or Nobody’s Gonna Miss Us, with the catchy power pop rock of the rest of this mini-album, then I think they might just produce a decent album that will stand head and shoulders above the rest of the pack.
Reviewed by: Andy
WebSite:
http://www.myspace.com/eastislandcity
http://www.twitter.com/eastislandcity
http://www.facebook.com/eastislandcity
http://www.backstreet-merch.com/bands/eic/
Mini-Album: Me And What Army?
Personnel:
Greg McLoughlin : Vocals
Steve Grealy : Guitar
Stephen Hyland : Bass
Andrew Curran : Guitar
Justin Capocci : Drums
Track Listing:
1 – Feels Like Home To Me
2 – No Tomorrow
3 – Me And What Army?
4 – The Borderline
5 – You Are The Light
6 – Nobody’s Gonna Miss Us (Bonus Track)
Stand Out Track: Nobody’s Gonna Miss Us
Review:
The latest cd to find its way onto my desk is from a five piece band from Dublin city on the east coast of Ireland, which IS in fact an Island in case you didn’t know. Why am I telling you this? Because for once I can actually figure out why a band decided upon their band name! The band in question brilliantly called themselves East Island City. I love it when a band name makes perfect sense. Formed back in May 2010, the band quickly released their debut EP in July the same year. Pretty soon they were supporting the likes of Framing Hanley, Twin Atlantic and My Passion, and even managed to get an endorsement from Blackstar Amps. So on the back of all this information, I have their new mini-album, Me And What Army? sitting in front of me. So what are we waiting for? Let’s stick it in the Wurlitzer and press play!
The first impression you get is that this is going to be a nice relaxed, acoustic album. Feels Like Home To Me consists of just vocals accompanied by acoustic guitar. Relaxing and soothing. Greg McLoughli has a beautiful tone to his voice, but if you listen carefully, there is an edge, a slight rawness being held back. That alone should’ve prepared me for the next track, No Tomorrow. With its pop-punk style and infectious hook, it really gets into your head. It is an extremely catchy tune that is superbly produced, with just the right amount of that typical pop-punk brittle guitar sound which combines well with the angst ridden vocals over a solid rhythm section.
The title track, Me And What Army? then comes thundering in with its express train drumming and frenzied guitar riff and even though it’s not the strongest track on the album, it’s certainly one that will no doubt become a staple of the live set, with its angry power and shouty chorus. The Borderline starts in typical EIC style, then softens and expands into quite a melodramatic piece with McLoughli showcasing his vocal range. The chorus is lyrically very, very good and once again incredibly catchy. The piano is the star of the song though, offering up a slightly different side to the band, although in places it’s dampened down by everything else going on.
You Are The Light is much less frantic than the rest of the album. Simpler in terms of not as much going on, yet still has clever touches of musicianship and the bass is much more in the forefront, yet not overpowering. The most chart friendly song on the album.
With its male and guest female vocals, bonus track Nobody’s Gonna Miss Us is another direction for the band. It still retains that pop-punk EIC sound, yet possibly slighty more Indie-pop. This track is definitely the highlight of the album, with its anthem style, catchy chorus and great vocal performances.
Me And What Army? is a good pre-curser to a full length album. If East Island City mix in plenty of tracks along the lines of The Borderline or Nobody’s Gonna Miss Us, with the catchy power pop rock of the rest of this mini-album, then I think they might just produce a decent album that will stand head and shoulders above the rest of the pack.
Reviewed by: Andy
WebSite:
http://www.myspace.com/eastislandcity
http://www.twitter.com/eastislandcity
http://www.facebook.com/eastislandcity
http://www.backstreet-merch.com/bands/eic/
