State Lines - State Lines
Having only formed in late 2010, State Lines have already released their first full-length album (Hoffman Manor) and are now returning with their latest offering - their self-titled EP. Originating from Long Island, New York, the band consists of vocalist Jonathan Dimitri, guitarist and vocalist Tom Werring, bassist Johnny Wims, and drummer Teddy Sahr.
The opening track, 5's on the Elephant, is a promising start to the EP; its hard-edged, gritty sound and coarse, throaty vocals show that the band haven't strayed far from Hoffman Manor, which isn't a bad thing at all. However, the gem on this EP that truly glitters and sparkles is Plenty of Time - it's one of those songs you can listen to whether you're feeling on top of the world, or if you want to crawl under the bed, assume the fetal position and hide away from the world. The moody guitar work and pummelling drums create a beautiful effect, and the softly chimed chorus ("I've got plenty of time to / see what makes you tick /and why it's making me sick") is what makes this song a great listen.
Cave In is similarly churned out with hoarse, scrappy vocals, but the lyrics are admittedly quite dull, flat and lifeless in this number. It sounds very moany and drony in comparison to the other songs on the EP. That said, the concluding track to this episode, Win Free, picks the dynamics back up just in time to round everything up nicely; the husky and distorted vocal work fits very nicely with the music, and makes this a lot more than a melancholy and brooding emo affair.
It definitely appears as though some maturing has occurred since Hoffman Manor, but the band's self-titled EP still retains the core essence of their sound. It seems like the band still have some growing to do, but State Lines aren't a run-of-the-mill band in my book.