Lion Drome - Curve of the Earth

Lion Drome

Curve of the Earth
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

Curve of the Earth is a purebred rock album and takes notes from alternative rock circa the ‘90s via ex-Thrash lead guitarist (Mike Lopez) better known as Lion Drome. Lopez takes some of the best effects and sounds produced by the grunge rock era to create something that is unlike anything else I’ve heard in a long time. It is both contemporary while having a nostalgic vibe to it, and of course, lots of guitar shredding added into the mix.

“Curve of the Earth” is one of the most dynamic songs within the album and really has that classic alternative rock character. The song begins with an upbeat guitar chord and from the start the melody and lyrics are super catchy. It has the potential of being a “hit single.” Lyrics also add some depth to the song as they materialize the “curve of the earth;”  “No line-of-sight… understand it can’t be seen.” It seems to be taking a very poetic approach to personifying love; “Yeah you made me wanna want you… Wanna want you through both space and time.”

“Shake it off” is a slow-burning song that slowly but surely transforms into a rock ballad that is prefaced by the lyrics “set yourself on fire.” The trance-like guitar in this track puts you into a hypnotized state where anything is possible. “Wolf River” which is a special bonus track, has a beautifully seductive air to it and both Lopez’s looming voice and deep guitar chords that set the mood from the beginning. Yet again, the lyrics in this song depict a unique situation in a nuanced way; “What muse am I, here to entertain your witching?... She took the wheel of the ship after dark.” The song is quite emotive and striking through its simple yet ethereal and metaphorical musical form.

While this record is in rotation, I feel myself transported to a world of rock glory and existential, spacey, rock deserts filled with the ballads and triumphant and epic songs from Curve of the Earth. The songs have a undeniably “beyond earth” demeanor and anyone into classic alternative rock bands like U2, Muse and Incubus will definitely enjoy the complex and dynamic compositions of Curve of the Earth.

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