The Rock EP
Independent Release
Sparechange Magazine
Lady K
October 2002
According to their bio, Somnia is a four-piece band from St. Louis, MO that has "enlisted in the Rock Army and is fighting the good fight to win the war against crap." It's about time someone joins the staff of Sparechange in that cause.
Now, does this band live up to such a strong statement? Compared to the shitpiles of talentless wannabees out there, definitely. They won't win me over as my new favorite band, but these guys definitely put forth a solid effort on this disc. Their "rock" sound is more popish in my opinion, with a very 80's feel. each song starts off with a guitar lick that reminds me of an 80's hit. The album even concludes with a cover of the Break Up Song, one of Greg Kihn Band's only two hits from that decade. The cover is actually really good, though I don't care too much for the singer's style on the chorus (when he belts it out, he sounds great, but when he holds back, he loses me). The cover enforces the 80's influence on their sound. This is not a bad thing. I love the 80s, and much prefer new-wave influence in my pop than bad-rap-metal.
For an independent release, the production, mixing, and recording quality are excellent. These guys are talented songwriters, and their lyrics are creative and catchy, without being cheesy or too poetic. Though there are only 4 originals, and 1 cover on the EP, it's a good showcase of what this band has to offer. Their bio and photos reveal a sense of humor I don't see in most bands, which makes makes me think their live show would be a hoot. I guess St. Louis has more than just beer and a big ass arch. they have some pretty promising musical talent there as well.
According to their bio, Somnia is a four-piece band from St. Louis, MO that has "enlisted in the Rock Army and is fighting the good fight to win the war against crap." It's about time someone joins the staff of Sparechange in that cause.
Now, does this band live up to such a strong statement? Compared to the shitpiles of talentless wannabees out there, definitely. They won't win me over as my new favorite band, but these guys definitely put forth a solid effort on this disc. Their "rock" sound is more popish in my opinion, with a very 80's feel. each song starts off with a guitar lick that reminds me of an 80's hit. The album even concludes with a cover of the Break Up Song, one of Greg Kihn Band's only two hits from that decade. The cover is actually really good, though I don't care too much for the singer's style on the chorus (when he belts it out, he sounds great, but when he holds back, he loses me). The cover enforces the 80's influence on their sound. This is not a bad thing. I love the 80s, and much prefer new-wave influence in my pop than bad-rap-metal.
For an independent release, the production, mixing, and recording quality are excellent. These guys are talented songwriters, and their lyrics are creative and catchy, without being cheesy or too poetic. Though there are only 4 originals, and 1 cover on the EP, it's a good showcase of what this band has to offer. Their bio and photos reveal a sense of humor I don't see in most bands, which makes makes me think their live show would be a hoot. I guess St. Louis has more than just beer and a big ass arch. they have some pretty promising musical talent there as well.