The Trusted
Phantom Power Music Blog
“Arkansas” is really beautiful
This quartet has established a solid sound in the six years and two dozen songs they’ve released. It’s a modern and sensible play on the vibes created by Coldplay, U2, Roxy Music, and Simple Minds. Simple but atmospheric. Great progressions and production. But they’re more than that.
“Arkansas” starts ethereal, mythical. A low beat is set over reverb drenched piano chords and a smooth vocal line. As the song builds, speaking of “crawling to Arkansas,” where he “hears its really beautiful,” the whole vibe keeps drawing you in. His delivery of that line is absolutely perfect. As the second chorus comes around, we get to a subtle and powerful entrance of the drums and a chest voice chorus – that repeats itself in a bridge type section before the band explodes with some gorgeous guitar riffs, changes in the chord progression and layered keys. It’s not too much – it builds beautifully – and ends with just the vocal. It’s a stunning track that is going on our favorites, for sure.
Their social media does a wonderful job of showing not only their work ethic and accomplishments, but their human (and often silly) side too. Other bands should take notice. These lads are honest in everything they post, don’t take themselves too seriously, work their asses off and are grateful for every opportunity. Their previous work – as noted above – is solid. “Millennium” and “Eli” are as solid as anything we’ve heard conquer the terrestrial airwaves over the past five years. “Love and Suicide” presents a dark topic with empathetic tonality and major chords – a musical irony it takes most bands years to accomplish. “Turbulence” (we believe to be their earliest track) posses a lonely punk vibe synonymous with Joe Jackson’s work, and an eloquence that isn’t found in American Punk. Great portfolio lads, we’re hooked. Let us know when you come to Nashville – we’ll be in the front row.
Check it out now!