21 Dec 2024
Outside In - EP Review: The Nature of Dreams
22 Dec 2015 // A review by Andrew Smit
A 5-song EP that is wonderfully alive with a cool mystical
sound that is a stimulating mix of modern and traditional music styles. Kicking
off with the dreamy electric pop song Sophie’s
Ghost with its shimmering guitar and synth, providing an atmospheric sound
set to a pulsating beat, and the melodic vocals have just a hint of effect that
sounds just right and caps off an impressive trip.
The next 4 songs are brilliant transcendent ballads, each with heartfelt singing from lead vocalist Mikey Brown, each have powerful melodies, and are all set to an earthy mix of piano and keys with jazz like drums and bass. Mikey’s vocal performance in Waterfalls is breath-taking and provides a brilliant contrast to the simple piano arrangement, the song builds until its bursts like a waterfall of sound that fills your senses with dramatic energy and colour.
In summary The Nature of Dreams is an impressive EP that shows a breadth of creativity and character that is rare in this Pop or Rock world and well worth checking out.
About Outside In
Outside In have a great future ahead of them. Hopefully this album gains notice outside New Zealand – something many great Kiwi bands have struggled to do. Kia kaha, Outside In – karawhiua! Rating: 9.5/10 - The Progressive Aspect
“This is crossover progressive rock for the 21st century, influenced by more recent acts than many within the scene, creating a sound which is looking both to the recent past and also for the future. Outside In, the prog band from the end of the world you have never heard of.” - ProgArchives
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Outside In
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From a simple opening beat to a wonderful flourish of acoustic guitars layered with luscious chorus and flange effects, the new single from Torn Chorus, This City Floats, is brought to life with wailing electric lead guitar licks and slides that sound melodically precise and emotive. Crisp vocals tell you about the labour and reward that you get for following the beaten path to the top, which as the video shows so well, is Auckland’s remnant volcanic cones, but the metaphor could be used for any journey in life.
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