EP REVIEW: False Start – James And The Cold Gun
They say that when one door closes, another opens shortly after. This can happen when moving from one project to another, for example, going from one band to another. This is the case with JAMES AND THE COLD GUN, composed of James Joseph and James Bliss, both originally members of other bands before coming together to create their own brand of alternative rock. Since the band started, they’ve toured with the likes of SALEM and THERAPY?, and have created their first EP, False Start. With their debut release, have the duo progressed and delivered stand out tracks, or does the EP’s gun fire with a fizzle?
Like the KATE BUSH song they are named after, False Start is exceptionally done. Even with just five songs, it contains a lot of depth and fantastic music and even more incredible lyrics within. Opening track Seven begins with a lush riff that lays the foundation for what to expect not only from the song, but from the whole EP. In a similar sounding vein to HIGHLY SUSPECT, all the elements come together with a driving feel charging the song underneath. The lyrics are brilliantly written and help pull the song together, especially with the powerful and gritty vocals to deliver them. Around The Bend is equally fierce, delivering excellent hard alternative rock that encompasses the best of the genre. The drum rhythms are immaculate, fast-paced and driving, paired with the excellent lyrics to create a syllabic vocal line to match that energetic nature.
Plug Me In once again has a brilliant bass laying the foundation to a fantastic song that is gritty, grungy, and alternative rock at its peak. The song is reminiscent of the classic rock hits from the 1990s but the duo take this sound to a new level by making it their own. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said with the fourth track It’s Mutual. Despite the great lyrics, delivering a story that many can relate to, the music underneath does nothing to help elevate the song as it’s very boring and has nothing outstanding about it. The instrumentation does nothing to help distinguish the song from the other rock songs, and it feels almost like a filler song added at the last minute. It’s very disappointing considering the EP is made up of five songs, but the last track Long Way Home picks up and creates a brilliant track to close the EP on. The bass is strong and adds a rich depth to the song, and the clapping rhythms are just the cherry on the cake. Vocals punch nicely and punctuate the lyrics to help deliver the song’s theme and poetry. A fantastic song to round off a pretty good EP.
As first releases go, JAMES AND THE COLD GUN have done a great job with False Start. Four out of five great songs is still a brilliant score to have, and even that one song isn’t bad, it’s just boring. But all in all, JAMES AND THE COLD GUN have done an impressive job with this debut record, and it’s a great springboard for them to have as they launch their excellent music further into the many years to come.
Rating: 7/10
False Start is set for release on April 29th via Venn Records/Loosegroove Records.
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