Review Summary: Come for the music… Slowly get used to the vocals.
Those in the workforce would likely have heard the management and accounting term “employee costs” more and more of late; an all-encompassing moniker to limit spending, one way or another. With many musicians struggling to make ends meet this century, it appears that the buzz term may well have reached the music industry, if the growing number of two and three piece outfits is anything to go by. The latest threesome to join the burgeoning classification are English rockers I, The Lion. And if their Jason Wilson (You Me At Six, We Are The Ocean, Fightstar) produced second EP ‘Run’ is any indication, then the trio make no less of a racket for having one or two less musicians in their ranks.
Recalling Scottish band Biffy Clyro in more ways than one (Exhibit A being song title ‘Man Made of Mice’), I, The Lion waste no time revealing their raw – but full – sound on EP opener and lead single ‘Hold Strong’. Containing some effective Biffy-like tempo switching, the creative dynamics of this song is highlighted by its near two minute instrumental climax, which successfully displays the various guitar techniques used. Impressively, it is only the (admittedly fun) noodling right at the very end which fails to be integrated naturally. ‘Icarus’ consolidates the band’s strengths with guitarist Elliot Withers alternating between the spiky indie/post-punk chords of The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand et al. one moment and then the heavier low-end riffs of many an American post-grunge outfit the next.
Both of the aforementioned tunes are chart-worthy in their quality… Yet, the elephant in the room will be the far from immediate and sure to be polarising voice of Chris Evans, which is likely to keep I, The Lion from becoming a household name. While the choruses here are deceptively catchier than one might initially think, Evans’ vocals are unable to bring out their anthemic qualities to full effect. Containing a difficult to pinpoint combination of gruff, monotone, workmanlike and uncharismatic qualities, Evans makes it a little difficult to become involved in the lyrics and will be required to find his true sweet spot for the band to take the next step. Further screaming or backing vocal cameos from Withers, as on the opening duo, would at least go some way to providing a welcome change of tone.
Despite the occasionally complex musical technicality on show here, the band’s sound seems purpose built for a live setting… A fact made all the more apparent by the rhythm section doing more than just pulling their weight. Evans ably doubles as bassist, while drummer Nathan Priday is borderline hyperactive in his want to keep listeners on their toes. Again, it’s performing such a stylistically diverse sound without sounding awkward or feeling too showy which is the most impressive weapon in I, The Lion’s arsenal, and clearly the best indicator of their songwriting maturity when compared to their satisfying, but rather forgettable, previous EP ‘Tides and Tales‘. Ultimately, this is a band on an upward trajectory that is undoubtedly worth keeping track of come debut LP time.
Recommended Tracks: Hold Strong & Icarus.
s
