Cursed Arrows- Telepathic High Five

Arrows formed in 2006 and released their first record Knives Are Falling From The Sky which earned them comparisons to the likes of Nirvana, The Pixies, and Sonic Youth.  On their second effort, the Canadian two-piece band inserted “Cursed” to the previous name, and in the process they also enhanced their sound.

Telepathic High Five is an intricate record; I find it difficult to even try to classify their sound; I would say something like post-grunge with suggestions of punk rock albeit it really doesn’t matter, the album is an artsy work of genius.  The record consists of 10 tracks that are full of tricky lyrics, complex melodies, and most importantly passion. The words on the opening track “Run Forever” are captivating and intelligent – add to that the ferocious drums and engaging guitar riffs and you have a great rock & roll song that grabs one’s attention instantly.  The songs on this record are moody and sinister and while Cursed Arrows is fearless and unbending in their exertion there is also a seriousness about the band that noticeably shows they really value the work they do.

Another aspect of the record that I love is Jackie Stanley’s drumming, which brings an extra layer of muscle and unrefined enthusiasm to the songs.  The duo shares the vocals on the album crafting a very nice melodic feel that is to some extent reminiscent of The Pixies.  The track “Deep Wound” is a bit more melodic and subdued than the rest, showing that the band can be gentle and still be potent at the same time.

Telepathic High Five is unrelenting in the way it attacks the listener; from the opening to the last track the album keeps your attention.  Cursed Arrows produced an album that has the right ingredients to become unforgettable.