“Intergalactic Lightning Bandits” exhibits a mostly guitar-driven collection of heartfelt angst and disarray and with this EP Joshua Rogers (guitar, vocals), Ryan Deacon (bass, vocals) and Max Schomburg (drums) are on a smoothly paved road.
Opener ‘Junkies Know Best’ encompasses a wide array of varying, heavily-distorted guitar lines, effortlessly driving the track forward. Accompanied by the other rather embellishing instrumental parts, the song’s rapid-pace permits our focus to be drawn to the ever-varying riffs. Exhibiting a similar stamp, I can’t help but wish the dull drum production in ‘Between the Lines’ would be better suited to Antimotion Studio’s distinctly-punchy style.
The slower tempo and whimsical nature of ‘Fire On Holiday’ makes for a refreshing sweet spot in the EP, distinguishing itself with Rogers’ reverb-soaked vocals. Although alike in their menacing atmospheres, the guitar work in ‘Fingers Crossed’ highlights brilliant technique, albeit the individual instrumental sections don’t seem to coincide the best they potentially could, causing a sense of segregation and disorder: a possible intention.
One of careful composition, ‘The Bullfight’, driven by guitar and bass imitation of a single, powerful riff, manifests a particularly wrathful undercurrent, notable in the ending’s subtle scream. Carving an impressive way of progression into the EP’s rather groovy closer. The intro of ‘Snake Charmer’ resembles Blink-182’s ‘Up All Night’ and tasty bass inserts alongside variation in pace and dynamic define the track as one of raucous stamina.
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Listen to “Intergalactic Lightning Bandits” on Deezer.
