This Is TOTEM
New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know
A GOOD SIGN - It's not often that, as a reviewer, I go into one of these promotional pieces having listened to the subject album numerous times before going to press. Generally there just isn't enough time. There's always a stack of unopened music coming through my email inbox and laid on my front door by the Postman. What I do have time for is good music and creativity. Boston's TOTEM will release their new five-song EP this evening and there's not a bad song on this curious, varied and ambitious little album. It's a powerfully creative series of varied tracks capable of challenging and delighting listeners. And most importantly, it's an album of material that sets this band apart from their peers. The sky is the limit and New England may not be big enough to hold them down.
TOTEM - The first thing that's going to strike you, as it did me, listening to these tracks is their diversity. I was left puzzled by how polished each was but how different each can sound when compared to the next. A few minutes later you come to realize the mix is more of the band flexing their creative muscle, exploring the space and letting each other shine at different points on the album. And shine it does. The band; Gary Alex: Guitar & Vocals, David Kaslaukas - Vocals, Lee Alex on Bass & Vocals, Mark Matta: Guitar & Vocals, and Doug Reilly on Drums -- have succeeded in make a soft, melodic pop album, with indie rock underpinnings, hard-rock epiphanies and melancholy memories.
RELEASE TONIGHT - The record asks a lot of its listeners but it pays the investment back in spades. I've heard the album straight through some two-dozen times now - it's in my daily commute rotation. If you are in Boston, catch them tonight at the Middle East. If you're reading this from points beyond - check out their pages below!
Comments
AUX are also very good, you have good taste