Review Summary: A fun mathrock album that is both easily accessible and technically satisfying.
This Town Needs Guns is a very promising mathrock band that most everyone can find something that appeals to them within the complexity that is their self-titled release. Boasting a clearly virtuoso guitarist, a very talented drummer, and soft and catchy vocals, every song is filled with catchy rhythms that are hard not to enjoy.
Starting the album off with a quick drum intro and a fast paced verse, the listener gets the gist of what This Town Needs Guns are about, as playing in this way tends to be the band's strong suit. Soaring vocals often steal the spotlight already being fought over between the guitarist and the drummer. Often transitioning between quieter segments between choruses, this is where much of the guitar work is showcased. These softer, more slowly-paced segments often bring to mind one of TTNG's major influences,
American Football.
Songs such as "Want To Come Back To My Room..." show the band utilizing piano, bells, and a xylophone to experiment with the atmosphere of their music. These songs tend to be calmer and are recommended to be the first tracks for new listeners to hear. The few times that the piano playing is put out as the main instrument, while what's being played isn't necessarily technical or dazzling, it is very fitting in its place in the music and creates a very soothing atmosphere.
The overall production of This Town Needs Guns' self-titled album is very raw and has a natural feel. This rawness adds to the deep emotional feel in the music, and mainly in the vocalist's voice. But at the same time, this production is probably the only easily noticeable problem in the album. A little too often, the vocalist is heard very loudly over the rest of the band and can sometimes be disappointing for those listening for the musicianship.
Overall, This Town Needs Guns have released a truly excellent album. Filled with great musicianship and extremely heartfelt vocals, this album could easily be a part of the listener's rotation of regularly played albums.
