Review Summary: Turning frustration into an energetic and whimsical alt rock appetizer.
Writing and recording an album is not an easy process. To reach the desired final product means jumping through numerous hoops and overcoming roadblocks. Heron and Crane vocalist/guitarist Collin Hancock once stated that the title of the band’s first EP,
Drat, was born out of the trials and frustrations of putting together a record from start to finish. It’s an age-old exclamation but one that seems perfectly fitting with Heron and Crane’s no-fuss, carefree style of alt rock. If nothing else, the title serves as a summary of the album’s thematic material, with Hancock’s pen taking us through a series of personal ups and downs.
The physical copy of the release contains a song not found on the digital version, “Happy Birthday”, which appears as the opening track. After a rousing group chant of “woo!” and some galloping strums of a guitar chord, Hancock launches into a condemnation of things that formerly provided him pleasure, as he proclaims “I’m the new school” with a touch of swagger. This track may have been a podium to get some things off his chest and out of the way, but the guitars settle down and we enter a more laid-back atmosphere at the start of “Red and Blue.” (In a live setting, these two songs are blended together seamlessly, and truthfully ought to have been combined the same way on the record.)
From this point forward, Heron and Crane’s characteristic sound emerges. Hancock and his Ibanez are largely the centerpiece. Collin’s vocals have a flair reminiscent of Matt Bellamy; less angelic but with more bite. His frequent switches between relaxed singing, wailing and falsetto push the songs into more adventurous territory. Whether it’s in the verses of “Red and Blue” or the album’s highlight in the title track, the guitar provides a colorful backdrop to Hancock’s vocal melodies. They echo and dance around the record, bringing out a little bit of aggression if so called upon. But again, all of this is more or less the setting for the album’s central theme: frustration.
Drat is such a compelling listen partially because of how well the songs embrace this concept. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, because the instrumentals do not particularly convey this emotion. This is not a loud, abrasive or unruly record. Rather, it's all in the vocal delivery and the lyricism. Everything here is sung with a certain sense of passion and vulnerability that make the words so believable, if not relatable. Indeed, the songs do not need to rely on the stylings of a punk rock band to get the message across. The vocals fulfill that responsibility with flying colors.
Lyrics aside, there’s no denying that
Drat is simply a fun listen. This is alternative rock presented with no frills and no gimmicks, just mature songwriting with plenty of catchy moments. Standout “Stupid Girl” nods along with its opening moody bass riff and a crazed chorus. Nearly each track has a vocal lick to get lodged in your head somewhere. With the guitar and voice at the forefront, however, there are a few moments where the album feels a bit sonically empty. Quite a bit of talent is present behind the bass and drum kit in Heron and Crane, and hopefully in future releases each member will have a greater showcase in the driver’s seat. For a band’s first studio effort, though,
Drat delivers on most all fronts. It’s fourteen minutes of music, but there is a lot of promise shown by the trio. Infectious, energized and big on replay value, this record is definitely worth a look.
heronandcrane.bandcamp.com/album/drat
