On The Brink - "Somewhere Under Bethel" (Independent, 2005) - * * *
Upon first listening to the demo recordings that would become On The Brink's "Somewhere Under Bethel," a listener hears a band on the verge of something.
The material is certainly far from terrible, but the lo fidelity nature of the recording, coupled with the band's derivative original songs can at first seem like something that has been heard before. The band clearly has talent, however, and to dismiss On The Brink so quickly would be a mistake. Most local bands don't have big album budgets, so judging an indie album solely on audio quality would be callous. First, consider that On The Brink is known around Muncie as a solid live band, one with a vast repertoire of cover material to draw from. Knowing that, it is easier to listen to this album and think of it more as a live performance. Compared to most groups in the region which focus primarily on covers, hearing a band like On The Brink try its hand at doing something original is admirable.
And while most of the songs dig deeply into the styles of the artists they're known to cover, the members of On The Brink do have the ability to work together to craft material that can support repeated listening. Songs like "Empty" and "Someday," which focus on concise acoustic melodies, give listeners a sample of the band's instrumental prowess. Comparably, "Different Glows" suggests more of an alternative metal sound might be waiting in the wings.
If you're at all interested in what the Muncie music scene is producing, check out On The Brink. They might not be at their destination, but if they work on developing their own songs to rely less on their influences, this group could make some waves here in the Midwest.
The Human Chain - "The Human Chain" (Broken Records, 2005) - * * * *
From the opening beats of "Orthotrycyclene" one thing is abundantly clear: If The Human Chain can produce a full-length album and find professional management, this is going to be a band to make serious waves far beyond the confines of Muncie.
This three-track demo EP features a crisp, clean rock backdrop with a pop edge that reminds me a great deal of Woodstock (New York) rockers Three. Each member of the band exhibits serious musical chops on these tracks, which don't sound like demos at all. One has to wonder how the band achieved such an edgy sound on this recording while maintaining the level of musicianship. Simply put, this recording is superb and is a solid introduction to the band's music.
The lead singer sure doesn't hurt anything with his addictive performance on "Destresser," reminding me of another indie band I've come to regard highly: Pittsburgh's Buzz Poets. That comparison particularly comes to mind when listening to "P.Metal," which blends hip-hop elements into the mix without crossing the line between alt-rock and rap-metal.
Right now The Human Chain is trying to build a local reputation, while hoping to break out and make a name for itself throughout the region. If the three songs on this EP are an indication -- and I'm aware that it can be difficult to fully judge a band on three songs -- this is one Muncie band from which I expect to hear big things.
I can't put this more bluntly: Do what you can to hear this band! Buy their EP. See the band live. And get ready for them to break the Muncie scene wide open.
Music Fans: To hear music from albums featured in "In My Headphones," visit http://inmyheadphones.blogspot.com.
Local Bands: Want your music featured in a future installment of IMH? E-mail jonathansanders@justice.com.
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