Rich Duncan
04/25/08, 08:52 AM
The Biltmores - Never Go Home
Record Label: Self-released
Release Date: May 31, 2008
Having spent most of their formative years winning over the hearts of their hometown fans in Providence, Rhode Island, The Biltmores recently packed up their bags and moved to the brighter lights of Chicago. Never Go Home serves as an excellent namesake for a record that documents how a band packed up and left everything that was familiar to them behind in order to take the next step in their musical journey. Only time will tell how the move works out for the band, but Never Go Home is obviously a statement that the band is proud of what they have accomplished in the past, but need to focus on growing and looking toward the future.
Opening the record is the frenetically paced “Diagnostic Criteria”, which contains faint traces of the band’s sound displayed on their debut album, Same Story, Different Ending. However, there is a little more aggressiveness behind the buzzing guitars and unique delivery style of Dan Baxter and it is clear from the melodies displayed during the chorus that the band has obviously spent some time tightening their sound in front of many live audiences. Although “Diagnostic Criteria” could have very easily been a b-side for their debut effort, “Raidoplay” dashes any notion that the band are offering up more of the same as evident by the heavy southern-rock influence and the blazing guitar solos scattered liberally throughout the track.
Almost as quickly as The Biltmores prove they are able to cross the line between indie rock band and southern bar band at will, they return to form with “Parking Lot”. This track is a shining example of the growth the band has made over the two years since the release of their last album. The band balances fuzzy guitar undertones and crisp lead guitar lines and fleshes them out with subtle piano melodies to create a soaring track that is more impressive than most of their more straightforward energetic songs. “Sadgrass” has a southern rock tinge similar to “Radioplay” , but if “Radioplay” is the soundtrack for the tough-as-nails bar bully looking to snap a pool cue over your head, “Sadgrass” is the everyman type just looking to have a good time. The guitar lines still have plenty of backbone and the handclaps set a lighter mood than beefy solos. The band also manages to slip in a few nods to their penchant for indie rock towards the tail end of the track.
Same Story, Same Ending was a very solid debut effort and songs like “Salt” and “Weight Of The World” had a more immediate impact than any one track on Never Go Home. Never Go Home is a more well rounded album than it’s predecessor and the musicianship has definitely improved. The Biltmores have taken their relatively straightforward take on indie rock and added some of their own personal touches and even took some risks by experimenting with some different styles. However, not all of these chances work out perfectly. While tracks like “Sadgrass” and “Parking Lot” are solid when listened to alone, in the context of the other tracks, they stick out a little awkwardly. I still stick by my statement I made over a year and a half ago about The Biltmores being on the verge of a bright future, I just hope they continue pushing forward with the progression shown on tracks like “Parking Lot” and “Road To Miriam” as it finds the band at their strongest.
Built To Spill, The Pixies, a hodgepodge of other classic indie acts
"Parking Lot", "Road To Miriam", "Caves"
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thebiltmores)
Record Label: Self-released
Release Date: May 31, 2008
Having spent most of their formative years winning over the hearts of their hometown fans in Providence, Rhode Island, The Biltmores recently packed up their bags and moved to the brighter lights of Chicago. Never Go Home serves as an excellent namesake for a record that documents how a band packed up and left everything that was familiar to them behind in order to take the next step in their musical journey. Only time will tell how the move works out for the band, but Never Go Home is obviously a statement that the band is proud of what they have accomplished in the past, but need to focus on growing and looking toward the future.
Opening the record is the frenetically paced “Diagnostic Criteria”, which contains faint traces of the band’s sound displayed on their debut album, Same Story, Different Ending. However, there is a little more aggressiveness behind the buzzing guitars and unique delivery style of Dan Baxter and it is clear from the melodies displayed during the chorus that the band has obviously spent some time tightening their sound in front of many live audiences. Although “Diagnostic Criteria” could have very easily been a b-side for their debut effort, “Raidoplay” dashes any notion that the band are offering up more of the same as evident by the heavy southern-rock influence and the blazing guitar solos scattered liberally throughout the track.
Almost as quickly as The Biltmores prove they are able to cross the line between indie rock band and southern bar band at will, they return to form with “Parking Lot”. This track is a shining example of the growth the band has made over the two years since the release of their last album. The band balances fuzzy guitar undertones and crisp lead guitar lines and fleshes them out with subtle piano melodies to create a soaring track that is more impressive than most of their more straightforward energetic songs. “Sadgrass” has a southern rock tinge similar to “Radioplay” , but if “Radioplay” is the soundtrack for the tough-as-nails bar bully looking to snap a pool cue over your head, “Sadgrass” is the everyman type just looking to have a good time. The guitar lines still have plenty of backbone and the handclaps set a lighter mood than beefy solos. The band also manages to slip in a few nods to their penchant for indie rock towards the tail end of the track.
Same Story, Same Ending was a very solid debut effort and songs like “Salt” and “Weight Of The World” had a more immediate impact than any one track on Never Go Home. Never Go Home is a more well rounded album than it’s predecessor and the musicianship has definitely improved. The Biltmores have taken their relatively straightforward take on indie rock and added some of their own personal touches and even took some risks by experimenting with some different styles. However, not all of these chances work out perfectly. While tracks like “Sadgrass” and “Parking Lot” are solid when listened to alone, in the context of the other tracks, they stick out a little awkwardly. I still stick by my statement I made over a year and a half ago about The Biltmores being on the verge of a bright future, I just hope they continue pushing forward with the progression shown on tracks like “Parking Lot” and “Road To Miriam” as it finds the band at their strongest.
Built To Spill, The Pixies, a hodgepodge of other classic indie acts
"Parking Lot", "Road To Miriam", "Caves"
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thebiltmores)