PawnShop kings - PawnShop kings EP

SoCal natives PawnShop kings have arrived with their brand-new self-titled EP. The 5 disc collection is a welcoming mixture of down home folk sensibilities mixed in with a slight inspirational aesthetic that is subtly reflected in the lyrics, and gives those listening an idea of where these musicians come from and how their upbringing is reflected in their music.

We start things off with "Love Like Jesus", a rapturous, driven tune with a strong musical state of mind that shows everyone who Scott & Joel Owen are, two brothers who have a passion for what they believe in but don't force it down people's throats and express their sensibilities through the power of music. "Gonna Let You" is a pure, unadulterated folk tune with a strong lyrical framework built into the mainframe that allows the instrumentation to come out freely and is not forced out by any means and lets it do its own thing naturally. "Fall Apart" is my favorite song off the effort that features Scott & Joel's vocals working their magic yet again, but this time at a much higher level than the prior two tracks and with a stronger musical connection that allows you to be honed in with what they're feeling at the same time the instruments are being played, and gives you an immediate vision of what these guys really are like and how their musical kinship has evolved over the years. We begin to wrap things up with "When You're Holding Me", a downtempo, piano laden tune that showcases a different side of the duo that we haven't had the opportunity to experience much on this record, and works to a great degree here with the soft laced melodies working their way in quite well with Joel & Scott's tremendous vocal ranges. "Make Me Whole" concludes matters here with a soft, harmonic number featuring Joel & Scott's vocal abilities once again proving their mettle as they've done all throughout the record and gives folks a chance to retrace their steps from earlier in the record, and see what different musical soundscapes we've encountered in our journey home.

In conclusion, a decent effort from PawnShop kings, a group that are much more than just a Christian group if you listen closely, they are two brothers who thoroughly enjoy what they do for a living, and that is making honest and heartfelt music.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Love Like Jesus
2. Gonna Let You
3. Fall Apart
4. When You're Holding Me
5. Make Me Whole