aaamusic | On 02, Oct 2011

A quick check reveals that actually, I did see these guys live a little over a year ago. I was not overwhelmed, but they evidently left enough of an impression for me to remember the name, and this EP is a telling echo of that experience. Filthy Whisky peddle an eclectic alt-rock cocktail of pop-punk, indie, blues and old rock n roll that, while not quite incendiary, does indeed prick up the ears.

Title track ‘The Seas Are Dead’ is a slow, swinging bluesy stomper, with the breath of older rock n roll in its guitar work combining with a weird, almost use-esque attitude to songwriting at times, with poppy prog elements, and heavy reliance on Queen-inspired vocal harmonies and layered instrumentation, however it can’t reach the sheer epic scale to fully carry it off. ‘Complications’ starts out promisingly, with a punk-style chord driven intro and thumping drums that build excitement, but the verses and chorus feel oddly limp, channelling Coldplay via rocking out, and so I am left almost musically blue-balled by the track in a way that bypasses teasing into frustration, as the jittery bridge leads from excitement into nothing particularly exciting. ‘Borderline’ at least doesn’t feel so much of an anticlimax, as it is a slow, ballad-esque song, with pillowy basslines and quietly chugging guitarwork, all backed by an operatic pop attitude that really comes to the fore in the chorus. Closer ‘Consequence’s Name’ brings in the dirt that the band’s name suggests, but unfortunately its heavier rock n roll swagger come too late to lift the EP. Harmonised vocals in the chorus and choppy rhythms mean that this is by far the standout track, with bluesy sneer, sassy backing vocals and what is finally a soulful, dust-stained yet still ultimately pop-informed song that really gets the listener’s attention.

Filthy Whisky have a long way to go yet, and as ‘Consequence’s Name’ shows, they do have a few good ideas up their sleeves. What’s a shame is that they’re let down by so many ultimately bloodless tracks that dog the sole standout in an otherwise passable yet bland EP.

 

Author: Katie H-Halinski