Have/Hold - Calm Your Blood EP (14/08/2014)
Have/Hold are a mixed bundle, but not in their ability to wow, only in the powerful sonic nature of their music.
Their debut EP, Calm Your Blood, contains five indie-rock songs that at times, bleed over into more alternative and post-rock areas. Opening song, They Kicked Me Out Of The Empire of Mama is a nice mix of these two contrasting sounds and it definitely allows for the band to dig their hooks right into you. The Melbourne based trio have really nailed the balance between these soft, calming tone colours and loud, soaring dynamic sections. They definitely know how to handle this sound, evident by only the first song. Gethsemane leans towards the calmer side of this sound, and the way it builds and flows across it's five minute length shows a real knack for song writing. The hauntingly beautiful Monuments follows suit right after Gethsemane and it only continues to wow! |
One real standout moment of the EP is the vocal melody on You'll Be Smoke, and how it echoes the older material of Radiohead. The guitars and drums are a little softer than usual, but are soon melding a gorgeous soundscape along with the very prominent bass from the halfway point onwards. The tremolo guitars melodies right at the are just gorgeous and it's the kind of musical moment that just sends some very real chills down your spine.
As the lulling guitar/piano section of the final song, Drunk Letter, morphs into dissonance with the grooving drums, the songs kicks into full gear. The backing vocal harmonies, the buzzing guitars which drop in and out, the soaring vocals - it just ticks all the boxes. This song only asserts the fact that there is absolutely no filler on this stunning twenty minute release. From this point onwards, many might find themselves completely hooked on Have/Hold, and rightfully so as this is just A-class stuff.
Alex Sievers
As the lulling guitar/piano section of the final song, Drunk Letter, morphs into dissonance with the grooving drums, the songs kicks into full gear. The backing vocal harmonies, the buzzing guitars which drop in and out, the soaring vocals - it just ticks all the boxes. This song only asserts the fact that there is absolutely no filler on this stunning twenty minute release. From this point onwards, many might find themselves completely hooked on Have/Hold, and rightfully so as this is just A-class stuff.
Alex Sievers