Gotta love the title first of all, I mean, "Headtrip to Nowhere…" like
who hasn't? "Cavalry" is the first up and so far I dig it -- it's got this
opening riff and lets it be known that this is a band, while indeed new
and in tune with modernity, they pay attention to the importance
actually playing their instruments. Where others regurgitate the same
triad of raging guitar riffs through muddy mixes and down-tuned discord,
Flybanger deftly takes the high road, not happily by any means but we
might say the next level up from the many antsy Rap-core/angst Rock
emulators seeking fame and fortune through the usual associative
recording principles.
"Radical's" got a feverish vibe running through
it, nearly Pantera-ish in overall make up, not quite so rash and not
better than the opener, but still okay. "Blind World" has a catchy riff
going for it, nearly hooky I'd say and their formulaic use of verse
before punctually arriving at their choral point is rather adept -- hey,
there's a reason they've turned up on a major here right? They've got
the "big" sound many listeners are accustomed to but again adding
another element to the songs widening the structures from the standard
form of acceptance, they've got direction but they're open to
suggestions.
"Pull" is another one to highlight here, less inclined
toward tenacity, more so of melody, still gripping but an overall
complete song. Having already experienced life's ups and downs on the
road that either takes you to ruination or redemption, theirs has been a
well rounded existence -- having taken their lumps along the way while not
necessarily hitting us repeatedly over the head telling about them!
They've toured with some pretty staunch performers in their relatively
short existence and have proved they can handle the spotlight and hold
up with today's stand outs with an extra degree of musicality better
associated with traditional Hard Rock… a marketable name, flighty
compositions, they play like seasoned veterans misplaced in the new
age -- tempered aggression and attention to detail. They'll probably turn
up on an indie before this one's got a chance to really take off, but
such is the case with Rock and Roll music with expressive tendencies
that deviate from the norm of a society dictated by angry sixteen year
olds. Angry enough, they're doing something right here usually reserved
for screaming and obligatory 3-chord chaos, and it's worth a couple of
listens before passing full judgment by which time you'll have found
something to latch onto.