Republic of Wolves, The - His Old Branches

[Steve Henderson]

The Republic of Wolves – His Old Branches
Release Date: December 12, 2009
Record Label: Unsigned

As any aspiring musician can tell you, it is damn near impossible to get noticed anymore. Standing out from the hordes of tweens throwing up Garage Band tracks on all-too-similar looking myspace pages is the now almost as tough as getting your demo tape heard by someone at a record label used to be. Every now and then though, a new band is able to break through, and rise above the white noise of everything and everyone else. But it’s still pretty amazing that when viral marketing has jumped the shark, and people aren’t haphazardly clicking on cryptic links like they once were, a previously unknown band from Long Island would end up riding a brilliant wave of unintentional guerilla marketing into the scene spotlight.

While the details remain a bit fuzzy, the story goes something like this. The Republic of Wolves are just getting their wheels turning as a band, and a friend of the group decides to try a little stunt to generate some buzz. He posts some of TROW’s demos on youtube and shrewdly credits them as being demos for the (then) upcoming Brand New album. Our little corner of the internet went all aflutter, and immediately began dissecting a clip of what may or may not have come from Lacey and company. Then, when the smoke cleared, it seemed like everyone instantly knew who The Republic of Wolves were, and wanted to know even more. A volatile situation that could have backfired horrifically ended up putting these guys on the map instead.

Now, while the idea might sound simple in retrospect, it’s not like any hack with a boom mic is going to be able to record something which might be legitimately confused for a Brand New track. Because similarity by itself would not have been enough to make people take note. The song people were hearing gave people something more – it was the direction a lot of listeners were hoping Brand New would be taking. And that is really where any evaluation of His Old Branches begins. As we hear the final versions of the cuts The Republic of Wolves have been working on for the last few months, we quickly realize these guys are a lot more than some lame Brand New cover band. They are quite evidently influenced by BN, but they take their debut EP into artistic territory that stands handily on its own.

From the sparse intro of “Done Haunting Houses” and into the equally moody “Spill,” it is plain to see (hear) that TROW have a keen sense of atmosphere, and corral it with a skill that even Brand New hasn’t so successfully done since Deja Entendu. Tracks like “Spill” and “A Weather Vane” pulse with a gloomy hush that seamlessly explodes into untethered sonic fury, while the group showcases its softer side on the rolling smoothness of “Cardinals” (good luck getting that guitar riff out of your head) and the shimmering beauty of “The Clouds.” Add in the brit-rock majesty of “For His Old Branches” and you have a collection of tunes that is as diverse as it is memorable.

It also bears mentioning that these newcomers don’t just make songs that are well constructed. They really offer up a complete package. The lyrics are smart, artistic, and instantly quotable. The recording is surprisingly crisp and focused, maintaining a level of clarity and polish without ever sounding overproduced. This quality is even more surprising when one learns the EP was recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered at Gregg Andrew’s home studio. Pretty incredible result on so many levels.

Though it has just recently seen the light of day, it is no stretch to say that The Republic of Wolves’ His Old Branches is the best EP to be released in 2009. These guys have gotten me energized about music in a way that few bands have been able to do in the last few years. It will be exciting to see their careers evolve, as they surely won’t stay unsigned for long. And given the right direction, The Republic seem truly capable of making an incredible full length to follow up this brilliant outing.

Brand New, Sterephonics, Oasis, Fear Before, The Appleseed Cast, Tigers on Trains

[beauty is dead]

this ep is really really good.
such a nice little find.

[Oddpac87]

Great review Steve. Love this EP. Can't wait for a full length.

[Adam Pfleider]

obsessed with this EP. listened to it five times on the way back home for Christmas...good review Steve!

[Keagan Ilvonen]

EP is great. Better than Daisy.

[abandonship]

love this

[evvandflow]

such a good EP.

wheres the cassino review?!

[Whalejaw]

I've been listening to this EP non-stop. Be sure to check out the demo version of The Clouds as well: http://greggandrew.tumblr.com/post/293923424/give-a-second-to-load-i-recorded-this-version

[BulleTheory]

such a good EP.

wheres the cassino review?!
agreed. why has Cassino not been reviewed yet? if theres one band that deserves attention, its them.

[MSIndulgence]

EP is great. Better than Daisy.
this.

[Mattylikesfilms]

I bought the EP the day it came out. it is amazing.

and this has been said a million times butttttttttttt: This IS way better than daisy. Obviously the band is huge fans of BN but along the process they became superior in my opinion. breaks my heart to say so but i am just being honest.

[introduction]

Lyrics are extremely interesting, especially for a new band.

[zbrmike79]

great EP, though there are some major overlooked flaws
not better then daisy
not best EP of the year

[the Paper]

Excellent EP, probably one of my favorite, if not absolute favorite, release this year.

[suppyguppy]

One of the best releases of the year, hands down.

[eleven eleven]

great EP, though there are some major overlooked flaws
not better then daisy
not best EP of the year
This. Very good music though.

[mcquizzle]

great EP, though there are some major overlooked flaws
not better then daisy
not best EP of the year

NO! THIS! :-p

[NateGolubiewski]

I am addicted to this album.
One of the best releases this year.

[pshh]

Most promising band of '10

[kemichels]

Also addicted to this album. Great release.

[Protested Hero]

The EP is great. It's a bit tough to forget that it's NOT Brand New sometimes, but hey, it's still great.

[xapplexpiex]

The RIYL makes me want to check this out even more. Good review.

[i like apples]

I used to jam with gregg back when I was still in high school. awesome guy, I hope these guys go far.

[Kapa73]

EP of the year goes to Robbers - Flesh

[Ska Senanake]

I would say the best EP of 2009 is "Weightless" by Fly Upright Kite. Check it out if you haven't heard it. For His Old Branches blows me away however, and I can't wait for some new material.

[crippledmark]

An Angle is to Bright Eyes as Republic of Wolves is to Brand New, for serious. I spent a bit of time with this album, but it is literally so close to Devil & God that I'm hard pressed to figure out where BN ends and this band's creativity begins.

[Burn That Shit]

score is way too bloated, i didn't realize completely ripping off a band warrants an 8.5 on creativity.

i lol'd.

[ageofinquiry]

The recording is surprisingly crisp and focused, maintaining a level of clarity and polish without ever sounding overproduced. This quality is even more surprising when one learns the EP was recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered at Gregg Andrew’s home studio. Pretty incredible result on so many levels.

-What? The recording / mastering quality is completely bipolar. Has anyone noticed the major bass issues? Or the hey im back vocals?
wish it was less of a fanboy review, though i do love the ep.

[Steve Henderson]

I would say the best EP of 2009 is "Weightless" by Fly Upright Kite. Check it out if you haven't heard it. For His Old Branches blows me away however, and I can't wait for some new material.
I put that one right up there as well...a close #2.

[GreggAndrew]

"His Old Branches" was just released on iTunes today, for anyone who was waiting:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/his-old-branches/id346442005

Thanks for the support,
Gregg Andrew

[danielineffigy]

Great EP, but...

"From the sparse intro of “Done Haunting Houses” and into the equally moody “Spill,” it is plain to see (hear) that TROW have a keen sense of atmosphere, and corral it with a skill that even Brand New hasn’t so successfully done since Deja Entendu."

Devil and God...?

[Steve Henderson]

Great EP, but...

"From the sparse intro of “Done Haunting Houses” and into the equally moody “Spill,” it is plain to see (hear) that TROW have a keen sense of atmosphere, and corral it with a skill that even Brand New hasn’t so successfully done since Deja Entendu."

Devil and God...?
I thought Devil and God was a snoozer. :shrug:

[live.]

This EP is solid, but I think the creativity score may be a little high considering they were mistaken for another band...

[Ari Christos]

Maybe I haven't listened to it enough or really pay good attention to it, but all the songs on this EP seem to bleed together to me. Well written review, nonetheless.

[InaGreendase]

Well-written review as much as I disagree with some of it. The drums are wayyyy too loud in "Spill" and kinda fake-sounding. Some weird bass tones here and there, too. I loved "Spill" at first but it's grown on me a little less; that sing-to-chorus scream dynamic seems a little forced whereas I think Brand New nailed it on Daisy. But "Clouds"? Fantastic. A little more vocal confidence/emphasis in "For His Old Branches" and it might be the best song here. First verse of "Cardinals" gave me chills getting to hear a finished version of it on a good car stereo. Definitely a great, great release overall.

[ageofinquiry]

Well-written review as much as I disagree with some of it. The drums are wayyyy too loud in "Spill" and kinda fake-sounding. Some weird bass tones here and there, too. I loved "Spill" at first but it's grown on me a little less; that sing-to-chorus scream dynamic seems a little forced whereas I think Brand New nailed it on Daisy. But "Clouds"? Fantastic. A little more vocal confidence/emphasis in "For His Old Branches" and it might be the best song here. First verse of "Cardinals" gave me chills getting to hear a finished version of it on a good car stereo. Definitely a great, great release overall.
i like this review better

[billyboatkid]

Awesome EP. Great review.

[InBetweenAisles]

This was an amazing album. Really enjoyed it.

[rpk004]

so so good.

[nlcentralchamps]

Definitely a top 3 EP release this year for me.

[HometownHero]

Still need to buy this

[Oceanic]

excellent ep all around.

[princesschad]

"From the sparse intro of “Done Haunting Houses” and into the equally moody “Spill,” it is plain to see (hear) that TROW have a keen sense of atmosphere, and corral it with a skill that even Brand New hasn’t so successfully done since Deja Entendu"

so I take it you missed devil and god huh?

[losnoufy]

I like what I've heard on the myspace so far, but is it the EP really better than Blood Bank or No One's First and You're Next?

And no, it is not better than Daisy. That's an absolutely unfair comparison, because The Republic of Wolves doesn't have a Deja Entendu for everyone to want them to remake.

[abellaw]

Well i hope this EP is good all this buzz...made me buy it so i will check it out a little later today

[bunneh.]

"From the sparse intro of “Done Haunting Houses” and into the equally moody “Spill,” it is plain to see (hear) that TROW have a keen sense of atmosphere, and corral it with a skill that even Brand New hasn’t so successfully done since Deja Entendu"

so I take it you missed devil and god huh?
Someone doesn't read through all of the posts before saying something stupid.

[zubinmoosa]

Fantastic EP. Can't wait to hear more from these guys in 2010

[ninetyFhOURs]

I thought Devil and God was a snoozer. :shrug:
I feel Deja Entendu is easier to access than Devil & God, but D&G had sooooo much more depth. It took a while for me to get into it, but once I did, I was engulfed.

[ninetyFhOURs]

I like what I've heard on the myspace so far, but is it the EP really better than Blood Bank or No One's First and You're Next?

And no, it is not better than Daisy. That's an absolutely unfair comparison, because The Republic of Wolves doesn't have a Deja Entendu for everyone to want them to remake.

Blood Bank is phenomenal. I enjoyed MM's EP a lot, but it didn't get nearly the spins that Blood Bank did. And the song "Blood Bank" may be my favorite track of the year. Definitely the most played.....but it did come out last January. ha

also, good point. Does anyone else hate it that Brand New is expected to match Deja Entendu? It was a great album, but a similar album would be so stale today. I think they've only gotten better as they progress, personally.

[princesschad]

Someone doesn't read through all of the posts before saying something stupid.
I wouldn't waste my time. That's stupid. What he says in the review is all that matters.

[losnoufy]

Blood Bank is phenomenal. I enjoyed MM's EP a lot, but it didn't get nearly the spins that Blood Bank did. And the song "Blood Bank" may be my favorite track of the year. Definitely the most played.....but it did come out last January. ha

also, good point. Does anyone else hate it that Brand New is expected to match Deja Entendu? It was a great album, but a similar album would be so stale today. I think they've only gotten better as they progress, personally.
You and I would definitely get along.

[kianacarly]

this is such an amazing debut ep.

edit: anyone who says it's better than daisy is kidding themselves though.

I still haven't listened to this EP, but it's not like it would be that much of a stretch for it to be better than Daisy. 95% of the albums I heard this year were better than Daisy.

[losnoufy]

I still haven't listened to this EP, but it's not like it would be that much of a stretch for it to be better than Daisy. 95% of the albums I heard this year were better than Daisy.
that's certainly an opinion one could have. there are many others though.

[kianacarly]

that's certainly an opinion one could have. there are many others though.

Yes... there are. But it's also a bit of a ridiculous claim that the only way for people to enjoy this more than Daisy is for them to be kidding themselves.

also, when I was typing this out, I accidentally wrote 'for them to be kissing themselves,' and since I'm lame I laughed for a good minute or two

[theband]

Blood Bank is phenomenal. I enjoyed MM's EP a lot, but it didn't get nearly the spins that Blood Bank did. And the song "Blood Bank" may be my favorite track of the year. Definitely the most played.....but it did come out last January. ha

also, good point. Does anyone else hate it that Brand New is expected to match Deja Entendu? It was a great album, but a similar album would be so stale today. I think they've only gotten better as they progress, personally.
Thank you.

[brwnhawaiin]

EP of the year goes to Robbers - Flesh
I agree

[WackyGonzo]

love these guys!

[brwnhawaiin]

This sounds like a band trying to sound to much like Brand New, but not sounding as good. Not as good musicianship, especially the guitars, and the lead singer definatly cant scream like Jesse.

[Paulb-182]

TROW have a keen sense of atmosphere, and corral it with a skill that even Brand New hasn’t so successfully done since Deja Entendu

I have to say I disagree with that statement so much. I do enjoy this EP though.

I have to also say, as two of my favourite bands I don't think they sound much like Oasis or Stereophonics either.

[DejaMe]

Not a bad ep at all don't get me wrong but IMO it's not as good as I expected it to be after hearing some much praise about these guys. Maybe I just need to give it more time, but I will say that for a debut release it's certainly solid. But this is no Brand New.

They make me think of The Devil and The Lion (RIP) another VERY similar band to Brand New's sound circa The Devil and God. Right off the bat the similarities to Brand New are uncanny, don't believe me listen to the first track (Intro) from their ep here: http://thedevilandthelion.bandcamp.com/album/the-devil-and-the-lion-ep

[newdesign]

An Angle is to Bright Eyes as Republic of Wolves is to Brand New, for serious. I spent a bit of time with this album, but it is literally so close to Devil & God that I'm hard pressed to figure out where BN ends and this band's creativity begins.
Well said. But I don't see these guys flopping like An Angle ended up doing. TROW definitely has their own stride, though. Brand New has been my favorite band for close to seven years now. I, quite literally, could not count how many times I've listened to their discography consecutively and independently. I've surrendered myself to them, as one might do with God.

But even I can say that TROW are original enough to be taken seriously. Would it be better if Brand New had written His Old Branches? No. The Republic deserve their own light--"Cardinals" separate them from Brand New. And, as torn as I still am about Daisy, I still accept the fact that it had to be written because it is where Brand New is, as a band, as a whole. And I know that in a few years, I will have a different opinion on it entirely. Just as The Devil and God took three years for me to fully appreciate it as a masterpiece, I know Daisy will be the same.

Kudos to TROW.

[blessphemy]

Great cd and great review! These guys go great with The Felix Culpa, im glad more bands are picking up on this sort of sound and experimenting with it