Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 8.0
Production: 7.0
Originality: 7.0
Tracklisting
2 The Weather Machine 3:45
3 The Wolves 4:53
4 This Side of Texas 3:42
5 Fiver: Wish Me Luck 3:05
6 Song of the Future from the Past 4:17
7 The Problem 3:32
8 To the Bitter End (I'll Be with You) 4:45
9 A Mendicant 3:25
10 Firework Sky 4:50
With a sound that begs comparison to the Riverboat Gamblers by way of Springsteen, yet never suggesting imitation, Signal to Noise’s debut cd “Kodiak,” is a consistently impressive, irresistible blend of punk and Americana tinged rock. From songs like “The Weather Machine” to “To the Bitter End,” the band balances its rage and heartache with an optimism that at once feels genuine, lending the music a kind of accountability rarely seen on the scene today. Signal to Noise aren’t trying to be heavy or deep, but accomplish it without trying to and without bringing the listener down in the process.
The album begins with a grower called “Radiation,” which starts with a jagged guitar line that at once introduces the raw and soaring sounds that populates the rest of the record. Signal to Noise are a band that understands that songs need pay-offs for the build up, and on the majority of the record the band delivers in full. On “Radiation,” the chorus is soaring and simple, searing itself into the listener’s brain and by the second listen is sing-along worthy. On “The Weather Machine,” the band show off their dueling vocals, that trade off being at one moment regretful and then the next ragingly optimistic.
Unfortunately, the album gets bogged down in points, trying to soar when it should stay on the ground, sometimes delivering the climax to early, making the middle of the record feel uneven, if the band is trying too hard to replicated the beginning five songs. The record picks up with the last couple of songs, even if the closer isn’t as memorable as it should be.
While the first half shows the bands immense talent, where they are able to bust into choruses and bring songs to almost cinematic heights, the middle of the record showcases a rare inconsistency that limits the record slightly. It stagnates a bit, not feeling as fearless as the opening tracks, holding back when it should break free and breaking free when it should wait. The closer, “Firework Sky,” has the same problem, not hammering home the song, letting it linger far too long, letting it become dry and stale.
The songwriting throughout the album is consistent, all of the songs having themes of hardened optimism. Most clearly in “The Weather Machine,” where guitarist James Frank Tanner sings, “I can’t say I’ve never noticed when the map was off/but I still found my way,” letting the last part linger regretfully, leaving it wide open for bassist Tristan Shaffer rip the song wide open with his raw vocal style, wailing, “To the city that’s on the horizon/Two lights that shine and burn on through the night.” This exemplifies a vital strength of the band and a main reason that album is so accessible: the tone of the songwriting matches the tone of the music. When Signal to Noise want to be dark (“The Wolves”) or hopeful (“The Weather Machine”), it shows in the music.
In a year that has been full of great releases thus far, Signal to Noise add their name to that list. “Kodiak” is a bold, loud, and invigorating debut, that while not without flaws, is one of the surprise releases of the first half of the year. If you haven’t heard this band yet, definitely check it out.