From the weirdos that describe them-selves “Like
Foghat and Cheap Trick in a fistfight with the Foo Fighters and GreenDay,” we
get the band’s latest record, Besides
(released 19 September).
Craving Strange hail from Amityville New
York and hold an impressive Bio, making them inarguably the biggest band we’ve
worked with at TWRAR. With music on every watchable TV station I can think of
(VH1, Fuse, and Discovery) and then some (FOX Sports, MTV) and an impressive
list of venues and festivals under their belts (Texas Rock Fest, SXSW), it’s no
wonder they were given the opp-ortunities to open for some of rock’s notable
beasts, including Steel Panther.
Obviously taking influence from the 21st
century greats, including Those who Fight Foo, GreenDay, and Jimmy Eat World to
name a few, as well as those tried and true Classic Rock gods. You know the
three. What we get is a crisp metal tone that isn’t quite hard enough to be the
cold and lifeless sound we tend to see on the rock scene these days.
Ah! The band! Right! Drum roll please- on
vocals and guitar we have Jimmy G. Coming in at a whopping Whopper on the drums
is also Jimi. Jimi Tassone to you. We have Matt Abbate on guitar! Let’s not
forget the spectacular cherry on top, Mike Talento. If that isn’t the grouping
of the most stereo-typical names in modern rock, I don’t know what is! But that
aside, these guys are anything but.
To get a clear view of the album, let’s
start at, I dunno, the beginning. Safe From The World grabs you hot
and heavy from the first second. Headbang all you want, the lyrics and music
come together to form a beautiful intertwined work of art. Jimmy’s vocals feel
natural and sincere. We are talkin’ smooth.
Added harmonization in the background compliments his masculine voice and
brings out true gentleness of this song. The riff is another thing that gets a
hold of you and doesn’t let go. Very crisp and clean with just the right amount
of crunch. Drums are complex without being over the top. Slight changes and
variations add a great deal of interest to the rhythm section. The bass is
something you’ll have to pick out, but the mixing and tone is absolutely
superb. The bottom greatly rounds out the vocals and lead guitar, grounding
them. Don’t fly away little soaring vocals! Although darker in tone, the song
has a very optimistic message. That you should listen to it.
You’ll Never Know starts with a
pleasant riff that is quickly joined by a dramatic drum track that does wonders
in creating atmosphere. Soft vocals fill in the void, soon rising to a full
vocal tone filled with a rich timbre. It is easy to say that this particular track
does an extra-ordinary job at pumping up the listener. It is exciting and
energetic without tripping the line into “party everyday” zone. The overall
feeling this song gives is perfectly described as “hopeful” While not a complex
song, it is definitely ambitious, so much so that the feeling of get-up-and-go
is utterly contagious.
From The Grey
follows with a beat slightly reminiscent of reggae. Put that with the rock and
roll and you have the Police! In all actuality, I can only imagine that this is
what the police would have sounded like if they were pushing albums during our
modern reign on rock. This jive turkey only
lasts about a minute before we are met with
soulful vocals and a solid mix of that sweet
rock sound. Just as you think things are
going to overwhelm you with sheer awesomeness, things dissolve back to the cool
mellow the track opens with. With a slight build up before we get back to the
chorus, it’s like a charge is being built. Judging by the songs we’ve covered
so far, it is obvious that the boys of Craving Strange have truly mastered the
art of pumping up their audience, something that is critical in today’s
audience.
After a guitar solo that somehow reminds me
of Slash (good, but not over the top), we are given a final treat as the last
chorus reaches a brilliant climax. All 4 members are accounted for in creating
this vibrant swell that skews us out.
Where Is The Way Out gives us a
taste of just where our rock and roll roots are. The guitar is set just right
in the intro and I love it. It holds all the moodiness and angst we expect a
tone like that to bring. This 15 seconds of vibe does its job of setting the
stage for this contrastingly dusky piece. I think musically, this is my
favourite track off the EP. Everything comes together nicely to create an ideal
placement for the song in the psyche. The nature of this piece is almost dark,
but it seems that it is the band themselves that help hold us back from falling
down this rabbit hole. I like it.
Oh yeah, the music. I was getting distracted
by the song. Sorry. So the drums are the first thing that stands out to me. The
tempo is very fast, and Jimi is all over the place, but it does no such thing
as take away from the overall effect. The hurried tempo and frantic bashing reminds
me of the intro of Heart’s Magic Man,
Which to me shows nothing but desperation and the will to be free.
Once the end is near, we are led out with
the same guitar that brought us in. a very beautiful journey to say the least.
Complicated is
the fifth and final track on the EP. Do not be solemn, my friend, because this
song is anything but. The lead in has a bright sound that reminds me ever so
slightly of the “Summer is Great!” songs that flooded Disney when I was a kid.
That being said, my last statement is probably the most “negative” thing I have
to say about the whole album. Not really that negative.
Every album has to have one song that appeals
to the larger masses I’ve found, and this one is probably it. We all know no
one listens to albums as a whole anymore.
Here’s hoping this song does get radio play
on that scale because the rock is hard, the solo is radiant, and I think that
anyone who gets their hands on this single song will be craving something (oh,
word play, u so silly).
Overall, this album is very well produced, heartfelt,
and on flames with Fuckin Rock and Roll. Each song knows just how to pump the
listener, and then carry them off. Craving Strange has a wide world open to
them for their taking.
Literally, the guys are currently touring in
CHINA. Asians are by far the biggest keepers of rock in the world, so go out
and do your part to help fight those darn commies! Buy up all the Strange you
can and beat them! Or at least check out the band by ways of Facebook, Youtube,
or their website, http://cravingstrange.net.
It is very fancy. They also have their albums all up for grabs at BandCamp!
-Cheyenne
Kline
Thank you to the boys of craving strange for their
kindness and patience as TWRAR got rough! We will rise again!
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