Artist Review: Isle of Rhodes, Affirmation Caravan
Artist: Isle of Rhodes
EP: Affirmation Caravan
Genre: Modern Rock
RIYL: Arctic Monkeys, Muse, Kings of Leon
Brooklyn duo Isle of Rhodes breezed into my inbox with a welcome air of nostalgia and an interesting mix of influences and sounds. Rob Farren mans the vocals and keyboards while counterpuncher Colin Behram bangs the drums for a surprisingly diverse set of four songs on their new release, Affirmation Caravan. This EP is definitely a welcome and unpredictable change of pace from the standard indie rock fare that trips through my speakers.
It all starts innocently enough with the melodic “Tic Toc,” a throwback single that sticks sweetly like a cross between Arctic Monkeys and The Beatles with a bit of funkadelic thrown in. The rhythmic one-two punch of Behram’s highly appealing percussion work mixed with a craftily controlled vocal performance by Farren sets the tone for the tunes to come. Where the mysterious and sultry quality of the first track leaves off, “Oceans” picks up the darker undertones and a heavier groove, lifting this EP immediately out of the good category into great. It may just be a personal preference, but a song like this that captures a dissonant quality along with a memorable melody line sticks with me much longer than something saccharin or trendy. Hours later, I found myself humming this tune and pressing the play button again.
“Islands” (which also features a wonderfully creative video - see below) offers more of a glimpse of the layered textures and mainstream appeal this duo possesses. One listen to this track is all it takes to truly hear the talent just waiting to erupt out of Isle of Rhodes. It’s a mature, glittering gem of a song; and the “the ebb and flow” of the arrangement operates like a set of waves eventually crashing in full glory on the shore. “Affirmation Caravan” is then an interesting and almost opposing force to the song that precedes it. The laidback island-esque vibe is much more loose, definitely unforced and experimental in nature. The arrangement is more complex, less simplified, but does offer yet another insight into this duo’s vocal, rhythm and songwriting chops.
With this EP, Isle of Rhodes have definitely made a statement about the versatility and artistry they have to offer in an indie rock scene that can always stand to gain from a more experimental approach. Affirmation Caravan shines brightly as a presentation of a clearly wide-ranging set of influences in a well-paced progression of thoughtful songs. Both Farren and Behram have a natural gift for rhythm and melody, making this an interesting duo to watch in the future.
Isle of Rhodes website: http://www.isleofrhodes.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_isle_of_rhodes_affirmation_caravan)
EP: Affirmation Caravan
Genre: Modern Rock
RIYL: Arctic Monkeys, Muse, Kings of Leon
Brooklyn duo Isle of Rhodes breezed into my inbox with a welcome air of nostalgia and an interesting mix of influences and sounds. Rob Farren mans the vocals and keyboards while counterpuncher Colin Behram bangs the drums for a surprisingly diverse set of four songs on their new release, Affirmation Caravan. This EP is definitely a welcome and unpredictable change of pace from the standard indie rock fare that trips through my speakers.
It all starts innocently enough with the melodic “Tic Toc,” a throwback single that sticks sweetly like a cross between Arctic Monkeys and The Beatles with a bit of funkadelic thrown in. The rhythmic one-two punch of Behram’s highly appealing percussion work mixed with a craftily controlled vocal performance by Farren sets the tone for the tunes to come. Where the mysterious and sultry quality of the first track leaves off, “Oceans” picks up the darker undertones and a heavier groove, lifting this EP immediately out of the good category into great. It may just be a personal preference, but a song like this that captures a dissonant quality along with a memorable melody line sticks with me much longer than something saccharin or trendy. Hours later, I found myself humming this tune and pressing the play button again.
“Islands” (which also features a wonderfully creative video - see below) offers more of a glimpse of the layered textures and mainstream appeal this duo possesses. One listen to this track is all it takes to truly hear the talent just waiting to erupt out of Isle of Rhodes. It’s a mature, glittering gem of a song; and the “the ebb and flow” of the arrangement operates like a set of waves eventually crashing in full glory on the shore. “Affirmation Caravan” is then an interesting and almost opposing force to the song that precedes it. The laidback island-esque vibe is much more loose, definitely unforced and experimental in nature. The arrangement is more complex, less simplified, but does offer yet another insight into this duo’s vocal, rhythm and songwriting chops.
With this EP, Isle of Rhodes have definitely made a statement about the versatility and artistry they have to offer in an indie rock scene that can always stand to gain from a more experimental approach. Affirmation Caravan shines brightly as a presentation of a clearly wide-ranging set of influences in a well-paced progression of thoughtful songs. Both Farren and Behram have a natural gift for rhythm and melody, making this an interesting duo to watch in the future.
Isle of Rhodes website: http://www.isleofrhodes.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_isle_of_rhodes_affirmation_caravan)
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