Scowl
Psychic Dance Routine EP
*** out of *****
Driving guitars, slamming drums, and guttural vocals open "Shot Down" as Scowl set the punk/hardcore tone, but something surprising happens quickly that flips the script; the vocals and groove easily slip into 90's alternative mode with a sweet pop center.
That mixing of 90's arena ready alt-rock with pop flair and sludgy/dirty/heavy punk sounds, fluctuate all throughout the Baltimore bands newest EP, Psychic Dance Routine. The group doesn't seem to mind prettying up a song to get the tune over, and are at home in both genres. The title track could have been a TRL mainstay a few decades back as it is more mainstream than anything bands like Hole or Sonic Youth has put out, sweetly swaying through riffs and easy drums.
"Wired" goes in the harder direction with more screeching vocals and deep drums, dropping in a fun bass run as well. "Opening Night" goes back towards the mainstream with a Joan Jett pop rock chorus and hip shaking groove tagging on vocal screeches at the end for some reason. "Sold Me Out" shifts back, more into the punk lane with galloping drums and a chugging breakdown.
Even when digging deep into the gutter, the band still has a polish and pop feel that should help broaden their appeal as Scowl gets down and spreads their genre wings via their Psychic Dance Routine.
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