Keep Me Conscious – Sounds of Rescue (EP)
So, this is my very first review for Emurg and I’m feeling quite excited and nervous as I write. However, judging by the quality of Sounds of Rescue, the debut EP from post-hardcore quintet Keep Me Conscious, something tells me I have a pretty sweet time ahead of me. This EP is a shining display of well-crafted and emotional rock music, that reveals serious potential for the group to leave a big mark in the world of hard rock music.
With slick production from Jonathan Wyman (Sparks the Rescue, Sage Francis) Sounds of Rescue shows off the Boston group’s ability to create big songs that listeners can instantly fall in love with. The group claim to already have “a fiercely loyal fanbase” but you get the feeling they could gain so much more and become commercial megastars, particularly when judging by the anthemic strength of lead song “Thicker Than Blood”, which has already found itself a fixture on various radio stations across the USA and has even appeared as backing music on MTV. It’s clear that the journey to world domination has already begun.
And thankfully, the music on this five track EP is the sort that makes world domination deserving. The variation in pace and rhythmic patterns on tracks like the explosive opener “Stuck in a Murder Scene” and “See You At the Bride” keeps the songs sounding fresh throughout and steer the group clear from any threat of sounding repetitive. But in spite of changing rhythms, the skillful songwriting allows the entire EP to be filled with infectious hooks and big choruses and the pounding delivery of riffs from guitarists Daniel Maleck and John Wiley highlight the melodic power and sincerity of their performance.
This sense of melody and sincerity is crucial in Sounds of Rescue in achieving the full atmospheric effect of the EP. It is achieved skillfully and the intense emotional impact provided in the music is overwhelming. Frontman Bob Bowser only manages to heighten the dark romantic atmosphere of the music with his icy emo vocals which remain incredibly gripping as he croons lines like “Then she whispers in my ear/ All those things I beg her not to share/ So I don’t notice that my heart is losing focus”. The lyrical content of the album is often that of despair which can be in a sense romantic or otherwise. But the tight intricacy of the performance of these songs is what really emphasizes the sense of passion the band have to its full extent.
Essentially, Keep Me Conscious prove themselves to be a band for all occasions on Sounds of Rescue. They have songs that will capture hearts of listeners and bowl them over with stadium filling hard rock ballads which tell of romantic hardships and hope and overcome and, at the same time, have tracks with a pulsing post-hardcore energy, which will cause headbanging to be a guaranteed reaction. We’ve seen the mixture of post-hardcore elements being mixed with emo elements turn from a quirky musical trend to a domineering force in rock music worldwide and Keep Me Conscious have the potential to become future kings.
Keep Me Conscious - Sounds of Rescue (EP),
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Rock music snob who is gradually losing touch with reality. I'm a Kid from Scotland who is gradually spreading the joys of rock n' roll and heavy metal around the place!
Great first review on Keep Me Conscious! I have known that band since it was called cherry st.
and thay came a long way .
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Andy WELCOME to EMURG!!! Great first review on Keep Me Conscious! I have been here a short time also and am amazed at the talent most of the world has NOT heard. You are right about enjoying EMURG I have not found many groups that I do not like.
Once again great review and welcome to the gang!
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