Title: Back and Forth
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 22nd April 2014
Reviewed By: Ben Chapman
Among Giants' EP Back and Forth is a mix of old-school sounds and candid honesty, played with undecorated presentation of its sentiment.
Cats and Ferrets is a straightforward jog through classic punk with a steady palm muted intro that takes us through sections of head rocking interludes. A low, unenthusiastic voice tells stories of regret, though just the occasional slight crack or warble forms the only theatrical traces to it's performance. The missing enthused power behind the vocals lets the lyrics speak for themselves, in an honest, bluntly blatant delivery. It fits the music well enough but is evidently an acquired taste.
On Hardwood Floors we hear a continuation of Among Giants' faithful emo-punk simplicity showing off a Movielife-like reliance on stripped down textures and elements of dynamic surprise. Despite this I can't help but feel that the backing vocals, upstaging the lead's efforts here, better accompany the emotive chord progression that's the spine of the track.
Art School’s anguished tale is told with flatly presented vocals stretching out the syllables along a persistent bouncing, a thrashy teenage anthem, almost in the style of The Hold Steady. The drums propel our interest, and there's a flagging space and pleasant constancy to every blastbeat. The screechy backing vocals are brilliantly undeveloped and ease the lead vocals into a less harsh context.
Guitar chords hop a distorted jig in The World Is Not My Friend. The drums lope alongside with the feel of a runner trying to catch up. This track stands out for having a momentum behind it that other parts of the EP could do with borrowing.
Not a bad effort from emo-emergent Among Giants, but the band is perhaps just a bit too comfortable in their style. There's not a wealth of variation throughout the EP, though what we are given is effective and authentic, and sometimes, for some fans, that's just what you need.
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