By John Bedard
I know I have said it a thousand times but I love it when artists will reach out and try something new. When I saw an EP from Phil Stiles, the frontman of Final Coil, whom I just recently reviewed favorably, I was excited. Nothing could have really prepared me though. This is very different than what I was expecting. There is a lot of depth here. Even for a short EP, there is still a lot to dig into. And a very interesting, ominous and oddly aggressive tone that I had not expected slightly.
Musically we have this really interesting mix of very aggressively distorted guitar tones contrasted by a soft piano and all woven together with this really interesting electronic tone that calls back to mid-90s’ really underground psychedelic but modernized. What I think some artists back then would have wished they could do if they had modern computers. It just screams 1995 California hacker culture with those tracker style tones and arrangements just all grown up and modernized.
Vocally I get the same feeling. If they remake the movie ‘Hackers’ with a darker, grittier tone, this exactly the style I would expect the soundtrack to take. There is this digital distortion on the vocals that ties the sound incredibly well to the heavy electronic elements to the music while still working really well with the tone of the guitar. While the album is musically heavy and the vocals are more of a cherry on top rather than the main driver they really tie everything together well and really sell the package.
One thing I will note is that this EP is political. Normally this is a negative in my mind simply because, most of the time, I like my music to be an escape from all the crap I have to deal with day today. Regardless of whether, I agree or disagree with the politics I usually find that I prefer it not to be in music. In this case, I don’t have an issue with it. I never felt like I was being preached to. Just a list of grievances delivered in a subtle way. This made it approachable rather than annoying and I had no issue with it. That being said if you are sick of politics then this might not be an album for you.
If it is not clear by now, I loved this EP. I mean how could I not? It is unique and it draws from so many elements and styles that I love. The whole experience is very well put together and really nails the tone and emotion that they are wanting to deliver. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. It is great.
- ‘The Anchorite’ is released on Friday (5 June). You can get your copy HERE.
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