drop anchor - pulverized

Drop Anchor 

Pulverized
Dullest Records; 2013

3.6 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Drop Anchor is a four-piece rock band that formed in 2007 from the greater Philadelphia, PA area. The band consists of Kevin Mooney (bassist/lead vocalist), Matt Buckley (guitarist/vocalist), Brad Holstine (lead guitarist) and Harold Echols (drummer). 

They recently released an EP entitled Pulverized, which tips his hand to 90’s rock and grunge. The vocalist sounds eerily similar at times to Layne Staley from Alice In Chains as the band brings a recognizable brand of distortion to their guitars that would be suitable for any Soundgarden, Mudhoney or Stone Temple Pilots album. Having grown up on these bands I appreciate their willingness to commit to a time period even if it sometimes feels a bit dated.

The opener “She” doesn't waste much time as the full band is rocking out in about five seconds. The guitars feel huge like a colony of bees ready to attack. There is just enough venom on the guitars that are filled with anger, energy and power as Mooney’s 90’s idiosyncratic vocals persevere throughout. “Roper” is the shortest song on the EP and has a different vocal style than the first song. Also Mooney’s delivery is more precise.

The centerpiece of the EP, which shows their versatility, is “Premise and Conclusion.” The song starts with an open canvas of clean guitars, exceptional bass work, and atmospheric drums that support floating ambient vocals. It’s a Tool-esque sounding approach they utilize until they revert back to the distorted guitars. As the song progresses it goes through a number of changes and it showcases that the band has an ambition to create epic songs.

Pulverized is a solid EP of well made songs, inspired by the 90’s, which is its greatest detriment as well as its strength. Sometimes while listening to the album it made me want to just start listening to some of my favorite metal/grunge bands from the 90’s and other times the band was creative enough for me to keep on listening.

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