Blake Solomon
05/30/07, 04:03 PM
Buckeye Knoll – S/T EP
Label: Unsigned
Release Date: April 10, 2007
Who?
Buckeye Knoll is a fledgling pop-rock group favoring light melodies over ultimately forgettable hooks. Normally I would have a problem with this, but the “grown up” feel of the band overpowers my juvenile predilections.
How Is It?
This S/T EP took more time to sink in than usually necessary for seemingly simple pop music. The largest obstacle to pleasure is singer Doug Streblow’s voice. When singing in his normal baritone register, things are just peachy. But on “The Melody Scene” and “You’ve Got It All”, his attempts to wow us with a technical falsetto fall sadly flat. His potential is realized in the form of a vocal duet with Chiara Angelicola on “Alive and More.” Over a sparse electric guitar riff and an oddly fitting chainsaw-like bass part, the two vocalists match each other note for note. Maybe she should become a full-time band member, as she would help set the smooth, acoustically inclined group apart from so many other “thoughtful” rock bands.
Recommended If You Like: Deas Vail, Nine Days, aquatic metaphors, Brightwood, people despite one glaring distraction (ex. dirty ears, upper lip mole, badly dyed hair)
Label: Unsigned
Release Date: April 10, 2007
Who?
Buckeye Knoll is a fledgling pop-rock group favoring light melodies over ultimately forgettable hooks. Normally I would have a problem with this, but the “grown up” feel of the band overpowers my juvenile predilections.
How Is It?
This S/T EP took more time to sink in than usually necessary for seemingly simple pop music. The largest obstacle to pleasure is singer Doug Streblow’s voice. When singing in his normal baritone register, things are just peachy. But on “The Melody Scene” and “You’ve Got It All”, his attempts to wow us with a technical falsetto fall sadly flat. His potential is realized in the form of a vocal duet with Chiara Angelicola on “Alive and More.” Over a sparse electric guitar riff and an oddly fitting chainsaw-like bass part, the two vocalists match each other note for note. Maybe she should become a full-time band member, as she would help set the smooth, acoustically inclined group apart from so many other “thoughtful” rock bands.
Recommended If You Like: Deas Vail, Nine Days, aquatic metaphors, Brightwood, people despite one glaring distraction (ex. dirty ears, upper lip mole, badly dyed hair)