Cogel - Nowhere Near (28/10/2012)
Cogel (pronounced Core-gal) are an indie/alternative band based in Sydney. Fronted by Belgian born Nic Cogel, the band gained a strong live reputation after supporting Gotye last year. “Nowhere Near” will be released on October 27th at the Ding Dong bar in Melbourne.
The first song “Fuseline” begins slow and gradually builds up with the addition of instruments. Not since the likes of Bright Eyes or Yellowcard have I heard a band utilise a violin in alternative rock so well. The song fluctuates between heavy and light which works to create emphasis on the chorus “I am stuck in replay with you”; words which are simple and emotive.
“Bug” is slightly more upbeat, but like “Fuseline”, stops using certain instruments and adding them back in during the chorus for dramatic effect. This works well, something that Cold Play has used during their career.
“Out of Touch” is more vocally heavy than the other songs. Cogel has managed to have repeating chorus lines without making the music to repetitive. Repetitiveness is one thing in Indie rock/ Alternative genre can make an otherwise good song unbearable.
The title track “Nowhere Near” begins with a nice guitar riff and leads into Nic Cogel’s falsetto voice range. This song reminds me of Bloc Party’s “So here we are”, which also reminds me of rainy days and long train rides in Europe.
The last song in the EP “Habbit” is my least favourite song for me in the album. It crosses that line of too repetitive and is also a bit boring compared to the rest of the album.
As a whole “Nowhere Near” is an impressive E.P. The Sydney based band has been able to extend on the classic alternative genre and create an individual sound. Cogel are relatively small at the moment, but they should explode onto the Australian and international music scene very quickly.
Ryan Hyde
Follow me on Twitter! - @RyanHyde93
The first song “Fuseline” begins slow and gradually builds up with the addition of instruments. Not since the likes of Bright Eyes or Yellowcard have I heard a band utilise a violin in alternative rock so well. The song fluctuates between heavy and light which works to create emphasis on the chorus “I am stuck in replay with you”; words which are simple and emotive.
“Bug” is slightly more upbeat, but like “Fuseline”, stops using certain instruments and adding them back in during the chorus for dramatic effect. This works well, something that Cold Play has used during their career.
“Out of Touch” is more vocally heavy than the other songs. Cogel has managed to have repeating chorus lines without making the music to repetitive. Repetitiveness is one thing in Indie rock/ Alternative genre can make an otherwise good song unbearable.
The title track “Nowhere Near” begins with a nice guitar riff and leads into Nic Cogel’s falsetto voice range. This song reminds me of Bloc Party’s “So here we are”, which also reminds me of rainy days and long train rides in Europe.
The last song in the EP “Habbit” is my least favourite song for me in the album. It crosses that line of too repetitive and is also a bit boring compared to the rest of the album.
As a whole “Nowhere Near” is an impressive E.P. The Sydney based band has been able to extend on the classic alternative genre and create an individual sound. Cogel are relatively small at the moment, but they should explode onto the Australian and international music scene very quickly.
Ryan Hyde
Follow me on Twitter! - @RyanHyde93