the eleventh hour - Solidarity

The Eleventh Hour

Solidarity
self-released; 2014

3.7 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

Now this is a rock band. I would pay to see these guys. Do I say that much? Not really. The Eleventh Hour brings it full force in all the right ways on their EP Solidarity. I’m more than impressed with the overall quality of this album, both songwriting and production alike. It speaks like an anthem and a love song at the same time. Every instrument takes on it’s own life and complements each song from every crescendo, guitar line, bombastic drum fill and full band synchronization. If rock was an onion, this album peels almost every layer. It’s not just a run of the mill EP from “the next best thing.” The Eleventh Hour just might be something huge in time and I have a little bit of knack for this type of prediction.

After experiencing Solidarity, I find it’s very Anberlin meets punk alternative and frosted with 30 Second To Mars. Delicious, right? “Seasons” has everything that a single needs. This track is strong and driving from the start and really brings out the best in the rock formula. “Seasons change enough” is a great, provoking and telling lyric that serves a sort of slogan for this album. The builds constructed are with precise and creative drums along with quick picking and rising vocals. At 2:16 the vocals are beyond compelling, demanding attention and inspiring the listener to scream along as the music breaks down and strikes firmly with each beat.

“Where My Mind Sleeps” opens triumphantly in beautiful isolation with tremolo guitar and drums that sound the size of silos. The song climbs a mountain of groove and intensity and then hits a new high at the bridge with a collapsing and sensational drum fill before laying it thick with the half time. As a reprise, the main riff returns and hits harder than ever before. Call and response vocals, the guitar line undertow, those big drums – it’s all back and gone before you’re ready. Hit repeat my friends. “The Devil At Work” and “Falling” are the other two can’t do without tracks at hand.

Solidarity is a sound effort and full of great musical ideas, choices and moods. One thing is for sure, they pour on the rock in all facets whether ballad or charging crowd pleaser. I’ll be looking out for what’s next from these guys and I expect great things.

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