Crustcake Reviews: Narrows - 7"

by theseseans (NYC)

Narrows's debut 7" begins ominously with the steady drive of distortion and bass. Before the rest of the band can kick in Dave Verellen begins his vocal attack, and god does it sound good to have him back. The band is "supergroup" of sorts including Dave from Botch, along with members of These Arms Are Snakes, Tropics, Some Girls, and Unbroken.

Musically Narrows stomp through punk and hardcore, with an unraveling "shoe-gaze" feel (just not so slowly). Ryan Frederiksen's (These Arms Are Snakes) typically extemporaneous guitar work plays throughout the album, but not as often as in his regular act. Here power chords rain, driving the songs forward, only to be taken apart with the subtle guitar work aptly placed in the background, such as in later half of the EP's closer "The Touch Test."

Dave's voice instantly conjures fond memories of when metalcore was an inventive, fun, good style of music (Botch, Cave-In, Converge), but Narrows doesn't have much 'math' in their sound. When everything comes together Narrows is a punk rock band, with the weapons of post rock and metal at their disposal. The band has put together a very enjoyable, promising debut leaving me eager for their full length (which is scheduled for an early '09 release).

The 7" itself comes in three color options, the one that I got is a pink with a brown splatter. Narrows 7" is currently available from Deathwish Records.

7/10 [Audible]
7/10 [Physical]




Listen: Narrows [MySpace]