The Loved Ones - The Loved Ones
It looks like another fruit has fallen from the Kid Dynamite/Lifetime tree. Unlike the relatively close falling apple Paint It Black, which is really what Kid Dynamite would sound like ripping off Black Flag, The Loved Ones more closely resemble the rock and roll swagger of brethren None More Black.
So what's all the fuss about? I can only describe it as a tougher edged melodic approach to hard rock. Before you roll your eyes in disgust, you really have to hear this to appreciate it. With only five songs on this EP it goes by quick but these are five solid songs.
The opener, and catchiest of the bunch, is a start/stop masterpiece with a layered chorus that punches right through your jaded attempt to not enjoy this guilty pleasure. The second song "Chicken" drifts into a burst of speed on the bridge, almost making you think this is going to be a hardcore song, but expertly descends back to a strong, melodic mid-paced rhythm only to conclude with a slower paced yet catchy dual vocal ending. The slower paced "Massive" had the potential to be too poppy but the impassioned vocals, bass growl and sharp use of melody to build to a climatic crescendo does its work to remind you this is certainly not a pop record. The biggest surprise is the all acoustic "Drastic". This song is carried by the once again sincere vocals coupled with the forceful, dynamic delivery of the sole acoustic guitar. It closes out with the satisfying "Candy Cane" that does drift a little into the cliche emo breakdown but remains a great song none the less.
I'm just as big a fan of hardcore as the next guy but I have to say this is the best band to spring up from the ashes of those legendary forefathers to date. I guess it's ironic it's not a hardcore band but these guys have shown they can branch out beyond that and deliver something that, while not the same, is worthy of the mantle of their heritage. I just hope they don't flame out after one EP.
So what's all the fuss about? I can only describe it as a tougher edged melodic approach to hard rock. Before you roll your eyes in disgust, you really have to hear this to appreciate it. With only five songs on this EP it goes by quick but these are five solid songs.
The opener, and catchiest of the bunch, is a start/stop masterpiece with a layered chorus that punches right through your jaded attempt to not enjoy this guilty pleasure. The second song "Chicken" drifts into a burst of speed on the bridge, almost making you think this is going to be a hardcore song, but expertly descends back to a strong, melodic mid-paced rhythm only to conclude with a slower paced yet catchy dual vocal ending. The slower paced "Massive" had the potential to be too poppy but the impassioned vocals, bass growl and sharp use of melody to build to a climatic crescendo does its work to remind you this is certainly not a pop record. The biggest surprise is the all acoustic "Drastic". This song is carried by the once again sincere vocals coupled with the forceful, dynamic delivery of the sole acoustic guitar. It closes out with the satisfying "Candy Cane" that does drift a little into the cliche emo breakdown but remains a great song none the less.
I'm just as big a fan of hardcore as the next guy but I have to say this is the best band to spring up from the ashes of those legendary forefathers to date. I guess it's ironic it's not a hardcore band but these guys have shown they can branch out beyond that and deliver something that, while not the same, is worthy of the mantle of their heritage. I just hope they don't flame out after one EP.
