Thursday, January 9, 2014

Old Bus - Popular Baby EP

Washington D.C. based Old Bus have released their debut EP titled "Popular Baby". The effort is the brainchild of Justyn Withay, who is also in the band New Canada and is experimenting with this solo project in an effort to better diversify his musical offerings to a willing and receptive audience.

We start things out with "Highwayland", a low key, intricately designed track that features delicate guitar riffs that run through the crevices of the song with remarkable precision and has a certain dexterity to it that feels so authentic and pure that you're right in the thick of it and you won't look back after hearing this one. My favorite track off the effort is "Charlemagne Is Stronger Than You Or Me", a melodic, slightly upbeat number that shows off Justin's diversity and working in full force, showing off his musical paradigm acting in full force, a terrific track that evokes the sensibility of the album and what he hopes to accomplish. "Machu Picchu and Tristan da Cunha" begin to close out the effort with an ambient, delicate sound that does a great job of ushering in the conclusion of the album and puts us in the proper frame of mind as we wait for the conclusion of the album with great fervor and anticipation. "Strange Old Dove" ends our stay here with a thoughtful and resourceful track that makes the most out of taking all the musical elements we've heard in succession, and puts it in a at-a-glance format for us and in terms that the traditional listener can easily comprehend and take to heart with them. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this effort, and was impressed with the overall simplicity of the EP and how it didn't do anything too drastic or overwhelming that may have confused the listener, and it gives us a sense of where Justyn comes from musically and how his individual influences contribute to the overall sound of the effort.

In retrospect, a terrific and well executed effort from Justyn a.k.a. Old Bus, who has done a great job of implementing his musical blueprints and schematics that has fully realized the artistic and creative vision that he conjured up while in the studio recording this harmonious effort.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

  1. Highwayland
  2. Charlemangne Is Stronger Than You Or Me
  3. Machu Picchu and Tristan de Cunha
  4. Strange Old Dove    

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