Review Summary: An unexpectedly mature alternative rock album from four highly talented individuals. Anberlin would be proud.
With so many independent artists relying on internet trends such as Bandcamp or Spotify to promote their music, it can be quite easy to overlook some of the hidden talent. Located in the heart of Michigan, Sirens. are a four-piece group that play an optimistic brand of alternative rock in the vein of Anberlin or Versus the World. However, what makes them so fascinating is the amount of skill they possess for such a young band.
Those looking for an uplifting listening experience are in for a nice treat with one of the most overlooked releases of 2013. Although they are labeled as pop-punk, their music definitely leans towards alternative rock and has no shortage of emotion. The first real gem of the LP is found in the second track ‘Hurricane’ in which the vocalist lets out perhaps his most soulful performance on the record as he opens the song with confidence singing “We Are So Far Gone”. At his best, he sounds like Anberlin’s front man, but he also sounds unique in his own right and adds a lot of character to Sirens. Sound.
However, it’s not just the energetic vocals of Steve Davis that make Sirens. enjoyable. The overall musicianship is surprisingly solid and every member brings something special to the table. The guitar-work and drumming always seem to fit the music well as they spice up the tracks, but never feel overdone. ‘Better Than This’ is a prime example of this as every band member sounds perfectly in sync with one another. There’s a lot of confidence and creativity heard in the drums as they pound alongside the song’s bouncy guitars. The drum work of Jordan Beckett is always well-timed and tasteful but he really gets the chance to shine on ‘You Know What the Chain of Command Is?’ with what could be his most commanding performance (pun intended). Another must hear track is the somber ‘Boxes’ which also displays the band’s ability to craft a great tune with some of the most heartfelt lyrics on the album hidden behind the impressive instrumentation.
It’s hard to find much of anything wrong with Sirens. full length release as it really has a lot of heart. The only real downside is perhaps that some songs sound similar, but overall there’s more than enough variety to keep things interesting. ‘What We Had’ stands out as different with the encouraging guest vocals of Scarlett Beckett and the addition of pianos. There are several other guest performances as well and thankfully they don’t sound out of place and help add some diversity to the album. The lead vocalist also has a good amount of range which keeps the listening experience sounding fresh.
Sirens. are currently inactive and several of the members are working on new material, but thankfully after several years of making music they were able to release their first full length album. In a way, it’s a testament to all the band’s hard work and contains ten ambitious tracks written by the group between 2011-2012. When listening to the album it’s truly hard to believe they are such a young band as there are several powerful tracks and virtually no filler. It may not be breaking new ground, but it’s upbeat, honest music from a group of highly talented musicians who have a lot to be proud of.
