The E.P. opens with a more upbeat song headed right for modern radio. I can draw influences of Jack’s Mannequinn meets Ben Folds. Oddly enough as time goes on in the album, the influences span out and the band draws from other areas as well. So don’t judge a book (or CD) by its cover. A surprising 7 minute piano rock track Pretty Model´s Hands follows, but take it from me, you wont even realize as it builds and builds to the final kick in of big chords, piano strikes and warm lush tones. We get into the more Radiohead meets Arcade Fire sound on the record with track 3, Twenty-Something and a little bit with the last track. It’s lyrics like “So I’m going to sing Halleluiah, the ship is going down” that singer Patrick McGuire delights the listener and expands the storytelling throughout the E.P. Over the intricate arrangements you will hear the evocative vocal harmonies displayed predominantly in Quiet Things. The bass is another important part of the E.P. as it doesn’t sit right in the middle, but out front to give the driving sound pushing forward. Tyler Reschke displayes his sliding bass lines and arrangements that fit so well it jumps out of the mix. The band also draws similar comparisons at times to And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead and especially The Reign of Kindo, with their arrangements and piano based rock.
Another highlight to the 5 song E.P. is that it was recorded by their very own drummer/engineer Chris Sturniolo in homes, basements, and bedrooms between June and December of 2007 and mastered by Dom Maita (Phillip Glass, Fall Out Boy, Herbie Hancock). Now after reading that last sentence your probably thinking Fall Out Boy, Phillip Glass, and Herbie Hancock, huh? Yes, these are the elements this band carries and displays the wide variety of musical styles within this short period of 5 songs. Please, Ambitious, Please takes the listener on an epic musical voyage and entrances the listener yearning for more after these five songs. I can’t wait for a full length as I will keep this one on repeat.
Rocker Tom Petty once took a picture of Jim Morrison’s ghost while visiting his grave in Paris. The photo was proved to be 100% real by an FBI photolab.
