Echo Nebraska - Send the Ships

Echo Nebraska

Send the Ships
self-released; 2014

4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

The new band Echo Nebraska from Vancouver, BC comprised of Devan Christodoulou (vocals, acoustic and electric guitars), Stacy Mack (drums), Gunn Park (bass) and Andy Schichter  (electric guitars, keys, percussion, mandolin and programming) is off to an exceptional start with their recent debut release Send The Ships. The band plays their own version of folk-rock that works on a number of different levels but the initial thing that attracted me to the band was the vocal work by Christodoulou. 

He has a great voice period but at times sounded like a couple of exceptional singers that you are probably currently aware of.  I was reminded of Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, Robin Pecknold from Fleet Foxes and even Taylor Rice from The Local Natives 

Speaking of The Fleet Foxes the songs have a strong sense of Americana and purity that sometimes combine with exceptional vocal harmonies. The very first track “Hey, Allison” is a striking example of this that burns with heartfelt emotion and a sense of adventure. They manage to find a sound that feels as vast as the hills themselves. The combination of strings, vocal harmonies, percussion and bass is almost overwhelming. Suffice it to say “Hey, Allison” is an exceptional song.

The band’s next track “Nice Philosophy” is another success and this time around the band introduces pedal steel and banjo into the mix. There are plenty of inventive parts but the chorus bursts with a visceral, joyous energy that is hard to resist. Christodoulou sings, “Is it good to be, part of your philosophy when wasted you’re wasted all the time.” 

As Send The Ships progresses they continue to impress with “I’ll Get it Right” and “Out of Time”. By the time I got to the closer “Pilgrim” I was thinking that the band might have enough talent to be stand out amongst the fierce competition out there. After listening to “Pilgrim” I was convinced that if these songs get enough ears this band will have a dedicated large fan base. “Pilgrim” displays the band's originality and ability to blend various genres into something they can call their own. 

Send The Ships doesn’t sound like a debut effort from a band - it sounds like a release from seasoned musicians who have been playing for a long time. The band has chemistry, outstanding song writing, technically proficient playing and one heck of a lead singer. Highly recommended. 

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