Broken Lungs
We were recently sent through the debut EP from Liverpool new guns, Broken Lungs, courtesy of Garry at SAN PR. Blending the likes of Biffy Clyro and the Foo Fighters with the song writing prowess of Manchester Orchestra, this EP is looking like one which is going to convert a hell of a lot of people to the band, and make everyone take serious note of what they’re up to. Having only formed in 2011, the band may well only just be starting out, but what of their music?!
We Stand Tall opens the EP and immediately suggests that this is going to be one hell of an EP, opening with a soaring guitar line combined with bass heavy rhythms and pounding drums. The vocals which are ushered in add a sense of melody and softness to proceedings, turning the track from a solid rock track into something which is more accessible, something which you want to turn up really loud and want to listen to forever. Catchy, powerful and hard hitting from the word go, this is the sort of track which is going to secure these guys as a force to be reckoned with, from the pumping guitar lines to the melodic vocals, it all works and will quite simply grab you by the ears and make you listen.
I’m Done With Desperation has a hard act to follow coming second but somehow manages to achieve it with aplomb, launching into a darker sounding mix of guitars and bass accompanied by an intricate lead line. The mix which forms adopts a syncopated beat before moving into a broken down verse section, the vocals taking the lead and once again creating a track which is not only hard hitting but also catchy as hell, be prepared to be humming this for days to come! Try As I Might seems to move away from the all out approach, this time forming another pumping track which nods towards their influences from the likes of the Foo Fighters. The combination of the lead line and hammering riff creates another track which people are going to love, almost harking back to 90’s anthemic rock designed to get crowds involved, people singing along and most of all, create music which will make you sit up and take note. Personally, this is my favourite from the selection, sounding like a combination of Hoobastank, The Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro and leaving you wanting to be witnessing this on the live scene.
Alleyways almost comes as a shock after the all out approach of earlier tracks, this time opening soft and creating a sense of emotion through things. Powerful in its own right, this track may not be as distorted as previous tracks but it still packs a hell of a punch, demonstrating that this is a band who aren’t reliant on the reverb pedal on their amp, instead writing songs which work acoustically as well as distorted. Full to the brim with a sense of reflection, this track stands out as a moment of calm in the storm, almost soothing you after the heavier approach which got this album into your subconscious in the beginning. Lost At Sea has a difficult job to do as the final track on the EP, but it manages to achieve it with aplomb. Soft and acoustic once again, these parting moments of the EP sound like a live recording, demonstrating that not only can this band write damned good songs, they can also perform them live. Emotionally laden from start to finish, the closing moments of the EP leave you wanting more and questioning how on earth this can be a debut EP, it’s a magical finish to an outstanding EP.
For an EP this is a damned good one, but for a debut EP this is stunning, demonstrating that Broken Lungs are going to be one of those bands which you’re going to have to try and catch as soon as possible. The sound roves from hammering to soft, always keeping a sense of melody running through things and always demonstrating that it’s the band playing the music, not some producer in a studio somewhere. Personally, I’ve been blown away, and can’t wait to see how they follow this!
To find out more about Broken Lungs, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
We Stand Tall opens the EP and immediately suggests that this is going to be one hell of an EP, opening with a soaring guitar line combined with bass heavy rhythms and pounding drums. The vocals which are ushered in add a sense of melody and softness to proceedings, turning the track from a solid rock track into something which is more accessible, something which you want to turn up really loud and want to listen to forever. Catchy, powerful and hard hitting from the word go, this is the sort of track which is going to secure these guys as a force to be reckoned with, from the pumping guitar lines to the melodic vocals, it all works and will quite simply grab you by the ears and make you listen.
I’m Done With Desperation has a hard act to follow coming second but somehow manages to achieve it with aplomb, launching into a darker sounding mix of guitars and bass accompanied by an intricate lead line. The mix which forms adopts a syncopated beat before moving into a broken down verse section, the vocals taking the lead and once again creating a track which is not only hard hitting but also catchy as hell, be prepared to be humming this for days to come! Try As I Might seems to move away from the all out approach, this time forming another pumping track which nods towards their influences from the likes of the Foo Fighters. The combination of the lead line and hammering riff creates another track which people are going to love, almost harking back to 90’s anthemic rock designed to get crowds involved, people singing along and most of all, create music which will make you sit up and take note. Personally, this is my favourite from the selection, sounding like a combination of Hoobastank, The Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro and leaving you wanting to be witnessing this on the live scene.
Alleyways almost comes as a shock after the all out approach of earlier tracks, this time opening soft and creating a sense of emotion through things. Powerful in its own right, this track may not be as distorted as previous tracks but it still packs a hell of a punch, demonstrating that this is a band who aren’t reliant on the reverb pedal on their amp, instead writing songs which work acoustically as well as distorted. Full to the brim with a sense of reflection, this track stands out as a moment of calm in the storm, almost soothing you after the heavier approach which got this album into your subconscious in the beginning. Lost At Sea has a difficult job to do as the final track on the EP, but it manages to achieve it with aplomb. Soft and acoustic once again, these parting moments of the EP sound like a live recording, demonstrating that not only can this band write damned good songs, they can also perform them live. Emotionally laden from start to finish, the closing moments of the EP leave you wanting more and questioning how on earth this can be a debut EP, it’s a magical finish to an outstanding EP.
For an EP this is a damned good one, but for a debut EP this is stunning, demonstrating that Broken Lungs are going to be one of those bands which you’re going to have to try and catch as soon as possible. The sound roves from hammering to soft, always keeping a sense of melody running through things and always demonstrating that it’s the band playing the music, not some producer in a studio somewhere. Personally, I’ve been blown away, and can’t wait to see how they follow this!
To find out more about Broken Lungs, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls