Gregory Robson
02/10/10, 04:12 AM
Honest Engines - Honest Engines EP
Record Label: Tandem Shop
Release Date: jan. 1, 2010
If the music world were more perfect, then bands like Honest Engines would get their due. Having maintained a small buzz in and around the Windy City for the past couple of years, due in large part to their debut self-released EP Don't Talk of California, the trio was itching to get back into the studio. Captain's Log is the end result and if it's any indicator of the road ahead, this band is destined for big things.
Though the EP is only three songs, there's a potency and a professionalism at work here that is hard to overlook. Opening track "Captain's Log," begins with the crackling of a record player, the faint strains of an orchestra and then vocalist Steve Mulcahy's plaintive refrain, "Captain's log, something's wrong." After 30 seconds of delicate vocalwork, the song starts breathing and mid-tempo guitars, organ and Michael Hennessey's heavy drumming push forward. Mulcahy's vocals are wispy and sweetly affecting. When he sings "I'm tired of trying, tired of lying," there's a conviction and a sensitivity in his tone that sounds genial and earnest. Aided by nuanced guitars, and a rousing organ towards the end, "Captain's Log," is as precious as it is rare. To put it bluntly, there just aren't songs this good any more.
On the heels of the title track is "Asteroids," which offers jittery, ambient noises and a synth before Mulcahy sings "Long gone are the days of song and merriment. I am a captain of a sinking ship, how much longer am I having to put up with this?" His tortured complaint is buttressed by gentle piano, and a buoyant, bubbly texture that's cheery, light and packed with gossamer subtlety. Though there isn't a standard chorus, the song's real strength is in its verses. As the song nears the four-minute mark, the rhythm section begins kicking and the song starts driving towards the finish. The song's conclusion is hypnotic, lush and nothing short of graceful.
And yet for all the EP's early highlights, final track "Void," is the deal-breaker. Though it begins rather whimsically and swings gently like a hammock, with sparse guitar and barely-felt vocals, there's a steady certainty in Mulcahy's vocals. Gradually the song begins to lift and as it does, the words become more deeply felt. "I'll go down swinging, time gets me each time." Like a meandering clairvoyant, Mulcahy seems to understand his fate and swims through the song with an assured grace as an organ kicks and Marcus Maloney's atmospheric guitar wails towards the finish. By the time the song ends, it feels as if the epic adventure has only just begun.
Matthew Hennessey: drums
Marcus Maloney: guitars, piano, organ
Steve Mulcahy: vocals, bass, guitars
Death Cab for Cutie, Farewell Flight, The Wagner Logic, Pedro the Lion
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/honestenginesmusic)
Website (http://www.honestengines.org)
Record Label: Tandem Shop
Release Date: jan. 1, 2010
If the music world were more perfect, then bands like Honest Engines would get their due. Having maintained a small buzz in and around the Windy City for the past couple of years, due in large part to their debut self-released EP Don't Talk of California, the trio was itching to get back into the studio. Captain's Log is the end result and if it's any indicator of the road ahead, this band is destined for big things.
Though the EP is only three songs, there's a potency and a professionalism at work here that is hard to overlook. Opening track "Captain's Log," begins with the crackling of a record player, the faint strains of an orchestra and then vocalist Steve Mulcahy's plaintive refrain, "Captain's log, something's wrong." After 30 seconds of delicate vocalwork, the song starts breathing and mid-tempo guitars, organ and Michael Hennessey's heavy drumming push forward. Mulcahy's vocals are wispy and sweetly affecting. When he sings "I'm tired of trying, tired of lying," there's a conviction and a sensitivity in his tone that sounds genial and earnest. Aided by nuanced guitars, and a rousing organ towards the end, "Captain's Log," is as precious as it is rare. To put it bluntly, there just aren't songs this good any more.
On the heels of the title track is "Asteroids," which offers jittery, ambient noises and a synth before Mulcahy sings "Long gone are the days of song and merriment. I am a captain of a sinking ship, how much longer am I having to put up with this?" His tortured complaint is buttressed by gentle piano, and a buoyant, bubbly texture that's cheery, light and packed with gossamer subtlety. Though there isn't a standard chorus, the song's real strength is in its verses. As the song nears the four-minute mark, the rhythm section begins kicking and the song starts driving towards the finish. The song's conclusion is hypnotic, lush and nothing short of graceful.
And yet for all the EP's early highlights, final track "Void," is the deal-breaker. Though it begins rather whimsically and swings gently like a hammock, with sparse guitar and barely-felt vocals, there's a steady certainty in Mulcahy's vocals. Gradually the song begins to lift and as it does, the words become more deeply felt. "I'll go down swinging, time gets me each time." Like a meandering clairvoyant, Mulcahy seems to understand his fate and swims through the song with an assured grace as an organ kicks and Marcus Maloney's atmospheric guitar wails towards the finish. By the time the song ends, it feels as if the epic adventure has only just begun.
Matthew Hennessey: drums
Marcus Maloney: guitars, piano, organ
Steve Mulcahy: vocals, bass, guitars
Death Cab for Cutie, Farewell Flight, The Wagner Logic, Pedro the Lion
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/honestenginesmusic)
Website (http://www.honestengines.org)