In Echoes
We were recently sent through a copy of the debut album, More Of This Is True Than You Believe, from Yorkshire based rock trio, In Echoes, to see what we thought. Produced by Grant Henderson at LOM studios and produced by Steve Whitfield (The Cure, Terrorvision, Shed 7…), the band are working towards getting their name out there, developing their sound, and ‘applying themselves through a consistent writing and rehearsal process, expressing their creativity to audiences several times a week’ – or so their bio says! Either way I was looking forward to checking out what this 9 track debut held in store for me!
Opening with Here To Make Amends there’s a soft and serene opening to proceedings as an acoustic guitar line leads us into the track beginning. Throwing in a lead line over the top, the track seems to adopt an atmospheric sound akin to the likes of Counting Crows, soft whilst still managing to keep an upbeat feeling running through things. The vocals soar over the backing music, uniting the mixture of elements within the band to craft a sound which is soft, warming and testament to the bands song writing abilities. As an opening track this seems to set the scene for what is to come, hinting at an album which is going to be full of catchy hooks, evocative moments and lines which will have crowds singing along with the band. From Nowhere follows the crescendo of the first track, once again tempting you to listen to the bands serene and calming offerings. Soft acoustic guitar lines blend with the roving bassline, all backing up more of those soothing vocal lines and roving bass rhythms – it’s hard to put into words just how serene this music is, but quite frankly it’s stunning. Catchy, powerful, clean, atmospheric and emotional throughout, we’re two tracks into the album and it’s already striking how well put together an album this is.
Moving on to Too Many Heroes it would be forgive if at first you thought you were listening to Blind Melon, the opening guitar line following the conventions of No Rain at first but soon ascending to a new level of depth. Growing in strength, the different elements of the track all come into join the guitar line, forming the track and once again allowing you to envelop yourself within the comforting and warming music. Upbeat whilst still managing to keep the sense of melodic reflection running through things, this is a seriously accomplished moment on the album, and one which stands out as one of my favourite tracks. Moving on to Delusional, the theme of reflective calm almost seems to fade out initially, the opening moments coming in over a background of feedback and urgency, soon though fading back to the sound we’ve come to expect from this album. Keeping the bass high in this track, there’s a real sense of calm movement, almost like driving at night as lights fly past the window and the outer elements cease to matter – it’s a clever mix which will transport you to a new place if you give it the chance. Slow Down (Live) follows much the same sorts of conventions, this time offering us an insight into the abilities of the band on the live scene through a live recording of them playing. Soft, emotional, melodic and verging on the atmospheric, this is another massively high moment on the album, and a moment which will secure these guys a slot under ‘bands you need to make sure you hear’ for sure.
Wind Blows Cold almost comes as a shock initially after the soft moments of the previous track, yet once again manages to take us to that warm and safe place which the band has created. Soft, catchy and once again combining the different elements to perfection, this track demonstrates a band who can write catchy songs, filled with uplifting melodies and moments which will make you remember moments which have long passed. Now Or Nothing on the other hand marks a serious change on the album, this time demonstrating that, when they want to, the band can up the ante and produce a track which is full of power and drive, the sort of track which gets crowds jumping from the off. Fast paced yet still holding the emotional reflection of the softer tracks, this is another moment of sheer genius, and another moment which stands out as a serious highpoint on the album.
Penultimate track All She Wants returns to the more softened approach, this time adding in a sense of syncopation through the drums to keep you guessing as to what’s going to come next. Despite approaching the end of the album, there’s still that excitement with each track, that feeling that you’re not sure what’s going to happen next and as such, want to keep listening. It’s only left to Remember Everything then to close the album and leave you wondering how on earth the band are going to follow an accomplishment like this. Soft and melodic once again, yet tinged with darkness and emotion, this final track on the album does what all good final tracks should do, leaves you wanting more and knowing that what you’ve just heard has been more than just an album, it’s been a moment you’re going to remember.
In Echoes are one of those bands that on paper, I’d probably dismiss as something which I wouldn’t get on with or enjoy, yet their album is quite frankly stunning. Take a soft and melodic approach to music, add in accomplished musicians and a sense of atmospheric reflection and what you’ve got is In Echoes, and band that I imagine we’re going to be hearing a lot more of in the near future.
To find out more about In Echoes, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Here To Make Amends there’s a soft and serene opening to proceedings as an acoustic guitar line leads us into the track beginning. Throwing in a lead line over the top, the track seems to adopt an atmospheric sound akin to the likes of Counting Crows, soft whilst still managing to keep an upbeat feeling running through things. The vocals soar over the backing music, uniting the mixture of elements within the band to craft a sound which is soft, warming and testament to the bands song writing abilities. As an opening track this seems to set the scene for what is to come, hinting at an album which is going to be full of catchy hooks, evocative moments and lines which will have crowds singing along with the band. From Nowhere follows the crescendo of the first track, once again tempting you to listen to the bands serene and calming offerings. Soft acoustic guitar lines blend with the roving bassline, all backing up more of those soothing vocal lines and roving bass rhythms – it’s hard to put into words just how serene this music is, but quite frankly it’s stunning. Catchy, powerful, clean, atmospheric and emotional throughout, we’re two tracks into the album and it’s already striking how well put together an album this is.
Moving on to Too Many Heroes it would be forgive if at first you thought you were listening to Blind Melon, the opening guitar line following the conventions of No Rain at first but soon ascending to a new level of depth. Growing in strength, the different elements of the track all come into join the guitar line, forming the track and once again allowing you to envelop yourself within the comforting and warming music. Upbeat whilst still managing to keep the sense of melodic reflection running through things, this is a seriously accomplished moment on the album, and one which stands out as one of my favourite tracks. Moving on to Delusional, the theme of reflective calm almost seems to fade out initially, the opening moments coming in over a background of feedback and urgency, soon though fading back to the sound we’ve come to expect from this album. Keeping the bass high in this track, there’s a real sense of calm movement, almost like driving at night as lights fly past the window and the outer elements cease to matter – it’s a clever mix which will transport you to a new place if you give it the chance. Slow Down (Live) follows much the same sorts of conventions, this time offering us an insight into the abilities of the band on the live scene through a live recording of them playing. Soft, emotional, melodic and verging on the atmospheric, this is another massively high moment on the album, and a moment which will secure these guys a slot under ‘bands you need to make sure you hear’ for sure.
Wind Blows Cold almost comes as a shock initially after the soft moments of the previous track, yet once again manages to take us to that warm and safe place which the band has created. Soft, catchy and once again combining the different elements to perfection, this track demonstrates a band who can write catchy songs, filled with uplifting melodies and moments which will make you remember moments which have long passed. Now Or Nothing on the other hand marks a serious change on the album, this time demonstrating that, when they want to, the band can up the ante and produce a track which is full of power and drive, the sort of track which gets crowds jumping from the off. Fast paced yet still holding the emotional reflection of the softer tracks, this is another moment of sheer genius, and another moment which stands out as a serious highpoint on the album.
Penultimate track All She Wants returns to the more softened approach, this time adding in a sense of syncopation through the drums to keep you guessing as to what’s going to come next. Despite approaching the end of the album, there’s still that excitement with each track, that feeling that you’re not sure what’s going to happen next and as such, want to keep listening. It’s only left to Remember Everything then to close the album and leave you wondering how on earth the band are going to follow an accomplishment like this. Soft and melodic once again, yet tinged with darkness and emotion, this final track on the album does what all good final tracks should do, leaves you wanting more and knowing that what you’ve just heard has been more than just an album, it’s been a moment you’re going to remember.
In Echoes are one of those bands that on paper, I’d probably dismiss as something which I wouldn’t get on with or enjoy, yet their album is quite frankly stunning. Take a soft and melodic approach to music, add in accomplished musicians and a sense of atmospheric reflection and what you’ve got is In Echoes, and band that I imagine we’re going to be hearing a lot more of in the near future.
To find out more about In Echoes, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls