South hero - Retransmit

South Hero

Retransmit
self-released; 2013

3.5 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

South Hero is a collaboration of young musicians who create very genuine tracks of pop indie rock on their recent release Retransmit. The band is from California and owes their style and sound to well-known bands like Jimmy Eat World and Weezer. They have definitely got these comparisons right as the band does share a style similar to these bands but they have their own unique and youthful sound that is quite refreshing

The first track on the album “Take Me With You” is pretty straight forward in its sentiment. The song makes me imagine a party filled with young people dancing about to this very hype and upbeat rock song. And then the moment comes when you get the guts to approach that special someone and ask them to come home with you. The lyrics “a stupid kid, it makes me sad… made a mistake when I was wrong… but take me with you tonight.” Drums heavily anchor the song, which makes it very upbeat. As the song progresses the lyrics become very catchy.

The second song “ Four Words” is a complete 180 from the opening track; it is very slow and a bit mellow and has a sad air to it; “to realize your pain, to lose our love that way.” This isn’t necessarily a party song, but more of a song to help someone recover from a breakup or a mishap of re-kindled love. The song “Chromatic” has very appealing lyrics and a compelling guitar breakdown that gives the song a vintage vibe. The lyrics draw some interesting metaphors and result in musical poetry; “green fades into white, rivers fade to white… the leaves all fall down, go round again.”

There should be credit paid to the quality of sound on this album, as it resembles the quality of a professional studio recording. Each of the elements of the band is justly represented through the recording process. Many kudos goes to the drummer of this band as his presence is felt on each and every track and seems to showcase a high level of capability. Not to mention the great guitars and the unique style of the vocalist as well. Together, South Hero builds a solid sound for indie pop rock fans to jam to.

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