Catchy LA Punk
I'm already a big fan of the Side One Dummy label (having bands like Flogging Molly, Bedouin Soundclash and MXPX on their roster) and was really looking forward to listening to this debut EP from LA band American Eyes. I was not disappointed, in fact I was totally blown away.
The band has everything you could ask for, thundering guitars, catchy pop hooks, funky electro grooves, big disco beats and even a smooth, electro-esque ballad, all wrapped up in a 6 song EP. How do they do it? Well, with the help of two expert producers (who between them have produced everyone from Puff Daddy to Beck to Sugarcult!), and an exgirlfriend to serve as inspiration. The EP apparently charts the rise and fall of a relationship before it comes to a crashing end. I'm not really sure about that myself but I'll take singer David Henry's word for it. The lyrics do seem a little clichéd at times, as they almost always do when written about 'a girl', but most of the time you can't quite make out what's being sung in true pop-punk style (or maybe I'm just not listening hard enough).
The first track 'Knife Fight With a Girl' gives a glimpse of what is to come: anthemic pop-punk-rock (or as the band describes it: neo-goth dance-punk, and for once the description a band gives of their own music is actually fairly accurate). The vocals and vibe remind me of Jimmy Eat World in places, especially in the breakdown section of 'Knife Fight..', and in the start of the second track, but the added electro elements really set this band apart from the masses out there. Listening to the EP is a journey in itself. It's like being whisked away to a giant cosmic disco in the sky where everyone is smiling, dancing and beautiful and the drink is flowing freely. Then suddenly in burst the hordes of hell to rampage through the crowds and turn the dancing to burning circle pits of fire. But then... what's this? Curt Smith from Tears For Fears singing over beats which wouldn't sound out of place on a Postal Service track! Finally in comes 'Radio' the aptly titled radio-friendly anthem.
The stand out song for me is the second track 'Telephone Wires'. The track is pinned together with evolving electro bleeps and what sounds like pots and pans being rattled, over a smooth disco beat. The chorus vocals will get stuck in your head for days, but the best part is towards the end, after the track has been building steadily, the guitars slam into 6th gear and the whole thing is taken to another level. 'Radio' is also a great song, it's not as interesting as some others on the album, but it doesn't need to be as it stands out for its own merits without so many effects. It's not too rocky but still not quite sold out pop, perfect for middle American rock radio in the vain of some of the new Sugarcult material. It's a classic American punk rock and serves as a great end to the CD leaving you wanting more.
In just 6 songs American Eyes really manage to take you places that just one band shouldn't be able to take you. These guys are definitely going to go far, having just completed not only the Warp Tour, but also the American leg of Taste Of Chaos, opening for the Used and My Chemical Romance. They're well worth a look for fans of any of the bands mentioned in this review, and anyone into punkrock.