Apricot Protocol is the duo of Daniel Cavi and Colleen Thomas. While both Cavi and Thomas have been active musicians for many years, their link-up to form Apricot Protocol is recent (2020). Feel Something is their debut release, a six-track EP fueled by some discount studio time that they won in a songwriting contest.
The needle drops, appropriately, on “Take It From The Top,” which shows off their songwriting chops. The track has a few different sections and drum beats, and blends an upbeat, poppy feel with some less-optimistic lyrics sung by Thomas. Apricot Protocol’s instrumentation offers nice textures: there are nice thump-y piano parts with gritty electric and strum-y acoustic guitars, complemented by solid electric pianos and synth work. We’re cruising right along, enjoying the Natalie Merchant vibe, and then the track morphs into something more ominous. Will Feel Something be a pop EP, or something more unsettling? The surprise ending doesn’t let us off the hook--and Apricot Protocol won’t let us off the rest of the way. “It’s No Mistake” takes us back to pop, but there are some alterations in the chords that provide some tension. Here the solos shine: the first synth is very cool, and the melodic guitar solo evokes Santana in its tone, use of overdrive and space. The second synth solo is even cooler, and is something Steve Porcaro would have happily played, especially with the note bending that emulates guitar phrasing. Apricot Protocol heads a little towards grunge with “All That Matters,” a mid-tempo, tune-it-low, funky-meter tune. Thomas’ vocals work exceptionally well here: she’s in a lower register, and her voice offers a bit more power, suiting the dark mood of the riff. The track leaves us with some hanging tension (of course), fading out with a keyboard tritone. Up next, “The Signal I Received” is radio-ready, dreamy major-key pop perfection with up-front bass that alternates between driving and melodic lines. This could have been played by an ‘80s new wave band, although Apricot Protocol adds their own touches. Here they’ve added some thickening synth-strings just underneath, low and left. The tension comes from the tones, not the notes, this time. It’s really well done, and adds some welcome variety. The ‘80s influences continue on “Something Like Normal”. Imagine The Edge playing on The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” but the chord chart was crinkled up so the changes didn’t come exactly where you expected. There’s a very cool keyboard part over the chorus, and it’s interesting how Apricot Protocol has chosen to mix the keyboards higher and the vocals lower over the chorus. There’s another great, melodic guitar solo here too with some great phrases and note choices. “My Sunday” caps the record with Cavi taking over the microphone. It starts as if he’s just sitting on his amp, playing his guitar and demoing this song. The band fills it out later and takes us through a quiet breakdown with some cool chords. There’s one final melodic guitar solo (think Mark Knopfler with a country twist, or something from the Grateful Dead), and Apricot Protocol, of course, leaves us a bit unresolved, as they’ve done throughout. Feel Something is pop, but pop on Apricot Protocol’s terms. The EP does indeed make you feel something; will it resolve on repeated spins? You tell me. We eagerly await their next disc.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Critique/insightWe are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.
Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook
Archives
April 2024
|