Latitude Blue
Searching for Perfect EP
I could have a 10-minute conversation with a fellow music junky and throw about terms like post-emo indie, slowcore shoegaze, tripped-out post-rock, etc., and the casual observer would think we were speaking a foreign language. You can call this melodic post-emo indie, as the band does, but what the fuck does that actually mean? I’ve been guilty of using similar tags in the past, but melodic post-emo indie is where I draw the line, especially when complicated wordy terms are thrown around unnecessarily. You can simply call Latitude Blue rock, and you can simply call it pretty good.
This is a debut that is not entirely flawless, but it is strong indeed. First, the production is glossed over and sharp. This could be a negative or a positive determinant on preference, but considering the group’s big sound and tight musicianship, I’ll chalk it up as an advantage. Each instrument is mixed well, and the overall output is cohesive. The sound is culled from a litany of influences, both on this side of the pound and Latitude blue’s native England. I swear I hear some influence of the band Cracker or Buffalo Tom on “In the Morning,” but this seems to be an isolated incident. Overall we get flashes of The Stone Roses and Echo and the Bunnymen from the Brits, and coping that authentic American sound are traces of Jets to Brazil and the Foo Fighters.
On the four cuts on this debut EP, the group shows some promise, as with the dark and brooding double attack of “1961″ and “I’ll Be Fine.” You really can’t get any more rock than “I’ll Be Fine” and to call it emo or anything of that ilk would truly be a misnomer. It features dark and swirling guitars, crashing drums, and disaffected vocals with a prevailing sense of British rock gloom. “In the Morning” begins with a Stone Roses dancey rock riff and takes a stab at a more upbeat tune that actually employs a plethora or major chords.
This is a solid debut from a band that, if they are able to fine tune a few things and capitalize on potential, we will be hearing more from in the future.