Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Hailing from the US Gulf Coast, Castor Troy recently made their first big dent in the music scene with their Rock Ridge Records EP, Patience Above.  Their oddly compelling name might trigger a tiny tickle of familiarity in the very back of your brain, especially if you saw the 1997 Nicholas Cage/John Travolta flick, "Face Off."  The bad guy in that movie had the very same name as the Gulf Coast band we're talking about today -- question is, can the band best the movie.  It wouldn't take much really, but they do. 

Castor Troy’s debut EP, Patience Above, is definitely worth a listen. In comparing them with other, more household named bands, I'd have to go with Three Days Grace or Breaking Benjamin, with one song in particular, Living the Dream, reminding me of something that might have come off the first Alter Bridge album.  Living the Dream is familiar in that realm and also my personal fave from the EP.

The lyrics on Patience Above really caught my ear -- they're well written and, unusually easy to understand.  The average listener should be able to figure out what the band is trying to get across without having to sneak a peak at the liner notes.

I was also duly impress with Topher Scott's vocals.  He has one of those voices that draws you in, making you stand up and take notice.  His voice, combined with the clarity of the lyrics, makes Castor Troy a truly unusual -- and pleasant -- surprise from the annals of Alt Rock. While this isn't a masterpiece, Patience Above is a good solid EP and well worth the time time to give it a good, solid listen!