Postmodern Family - Pilot

Postmodern Family

Pilot
self-released; 2015

3.9 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Postmodern Family is a band with enough variety and originality in their music that they don't fit into a mold. This is also not a case of them stretching too far. The four-piece from NYC consisting of Matt Osburn (guitar/vocals), Max Bezanson (bass/background vocals), Isaac Slutzky (keyboards) and John Crites (drums) display some serious versatility and talent on their four-song EP entitled Pilot.

One of the first things that stuck out to me was Osburn’s vocals. They really are quite unique in a good way. It took me one song to get used to his style but after that I was hooked. His vocals aren't the only thing that is unique. The very first song entitled "Unruly" displays why the band is inventive. It starts off with a building snare roll that gets layered with a wobbly synth. The synth starts trading back and forth with the guitar before coming together for a My Morning Glory type rocking out. I was impressed by the slightly off kilter approach to the music that could have been much more predictable if not for the band’s inventiveness. All that being said, the band rocks the hell out and contains some great lead guitar work.

The second track "Combine" is such a different style but the band gets away with it because of the songwriting and outstanding delivery. The song combines clean, reverb-laced guitar picking with a walking bass line, which creates a playful yet ethereal vibe. I know this sounds odd but I felt like it was an anthropomorphic starfish dancing and playing along with buddies at the bottom of an aquarium. Osburn’s vocals are especially effective when he sings "la la la la."

Next up is "Shred Me," which is a solid rocker that combines crunchy lead guitar, organ and vocal harmonies. The song has a boiling point type of energy with several release points. They close with another slight deviation entitled "Charlie." The song starts with arguably the best vocal performance that is supported by loose, scattered instrumentation. When the chorus comes they break out the distorted guitars but keep the rocking out to a minimum.

The band goes four for four with these songs. Pilot isn’t much of a fill though. My only complaint is I wanted more. Hope to hear a full length soon.

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