“While they may have released their last EP roughly a year ago, and they still contain the same elements, this is a very different band with a little bit different sound from last time. If they can sound like this now, it does get me wondering what they’ll sound like on their next effort…”-A review from “City Eats the Sky”
And it looks like that might come sooner rather than later.
After a fairly busy 2011 that saw them release their City Eats the Sky EP, a music video and continue playing shows all throughout the city, local mainstays The Holland Account and back and ready to show why they belong amongst the Indy scene’s elite. Currently, they’re putting the finishing touches on their next effort, Sky’s Revenge, and getting ready to play their first show since last December.
While their next EP isn’t due out for a while, they are set to drop their first single, “Rider,” March 3. So with an advanced copy in hand, join me now as I dissect their latest song. Let’s get started now, shall we?
0:00-0:34-It’s a fairly soft guitar intro complemented by frontman Nick Ramey’s vocals. Already it feels like it’s building towards something. Now how long before they do kick it up to the next gear?
0:35-0:48-THA has seemingly stripped away the more progressive tones from their last effort in favor of a heavier alternative sound with metal influences. On Twitter, bassist Dan Minnerick (@GonZo_Bass) told me that Mastodon, Soundgarden, Tool and Incubus were some of the influences on this track. All of which are starting to become more evident by the second, but even with that, it still feels like they’re building towards something.
0:49-1:21-And now I hear the straight-up metal tones which now go perfectly with Ramey’s soaring vocals. After that, it’s a little guitar chugging somewhat reminiscent of what you might hear on a Norma Jean record (dissonant chords, anyone?)
1:21-2:48-They do bring you back down. It’s a bit of an abrupt change, but don’t worry, it’s not forever. Eventually the chorus will kick back in and we’re back to the metal.
2:49-3:28-We’ve reached the bridge. We’re also brought back down again as they now build to the finale. It’s a haunting, little instrumental break featuring a nice little bass lick ripped from Reginald Arvizu’s playbook followed by a short guitar solo.
3:29-3:56-The finale. Not so heavy as to kick your face in, but still enough to build towards a solid close without feeling like an anticlimax.
Final verdict?
Actually, it’s still too early to decide anything. It’ll be interesting to see what they have in store when the new EP is released, but if this song is any indicator, the future is heavier and more focused than ever.
Stay tuned…
For more on The Holland Account, including where to find more music and shows, check out:
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