New Nightmares to Challenge Sleep album Review on Underthegunreview.net
Posted March 25, 2008
UNSIGNED SPOTLIGHT - Easton Legacy - New Nightmare To Challenge Sleep Band: Easton Legacy Album: New Nightmares To Challenge Sleep Genre: Powerpop/Rock Label: Unsigned Tracks: 1. Goodnight Neverland 2. Monster Eats The Pilot 3. Traitors of the Lost Ark 4. Two Weeks From Everywhere 5. Back Off Man, I’m A Scientist 6. Run For It Marty 7. If You’re Not Mad Enough To Bare knuckle, You’re Just Not Mad This week, both our featured signed and unsigned acts are from the state of Massachusetts and I think that says something about what may be brewing in the bay state. On the unsigned side, we find powerpop rockers Easton Legacy [not Eastern, as many have mistaken] who are about to drop their brand new ep, "New Nightmares to Challenge Sleep," in the near future. I’ve had the chance to review the ep already and let me tell you something right from the start: Start counting pennies and making room in your album collection for this release. Nightmares has a solemn intro that instantly brought my mind to thought of, "Tautou," the intro to Brand New’s, "Deja Entendu," through its very atmospheric sound and pounding drums that build you up and prepare you for the album to come. As soon as the intro ends, Easton wastes no time grabbing you by the collar with the upbeat, "Monster Eats The Pilot," which mixes Motion City Soundtrack synth with heavier rock and catchy vocals. It’s a great song that really introduces the band at their top form both lyrically and musically. From there we come into contact with, "Traitors of the Lost Ark," a synth heavy rocker that tells a tale of wronged love with vocals reminiscent of New Found Glory. For some new bands it seems like all you ever hear are sounds you’ve experienced before, but with Easton Legacy, they simply draw from others rather than imitate them and that is exactly what a new band needs to do these days. "Back Off I’m A Scientist," has a dance crazy bass intro that reminds one of old Panic at the Disco, but with better guitar work and a more in your face sound. The band is able to produce big sound and catchy hooks throughout the album without becoming cheesy or predictable and that is most apparent on, "If You’re Not Mad...," the album closer which is soaked in synth laced rock and roll and hook laden vocals. The song builds quickly and has dance inducing beat, but the lyrics are dark and deep that keep you both moving and thinking until the end, when you can finally let your feet rest and prepare for round two. Easton Legacy’s, "New Nightmares To Challenge Sleep," is without a doubt in my mind, the album that will become the launching pad for to the height of the current powerpop scene. It’s refreshing to hear a band that can make you move your feet without having to tell you to do so. I often find bands that are good enough to get signed and maybe release one solid album, but that does not apply to Easton Legacy. Their strong musicianship and thought provoking lyrics demand more than a simple record deal, they scream for the attention of everyone who loves powerpop/pop rock and I can think of no other up and coming artist who deserves it more GRADE: 8.5/10
