Eolune - Tiny Oceans

Eolune, the genre blending band from Boston, are back with the follow up to last year's Canvas EP.  I wrote about Canvas way back in March of 2010.  I was fond of the band's ability to create a tight sound that successfully merged various styles of music.  Some bands claim that they incorporate influences from other types of music, but Eolune actually does it.

Their new EP, Tiny Oceans, is very much a sequel to Canvas.  It possesses the same elements as their debut and builds off of them.  The vocals are very Clash-esque at times.  At other moments, such as during the intro to "Ghost Departure", they remind me of Fleet Foxes, echo-laden harmonies.  Although these comparisons, which may sound bizarre, are helpful when finding a reference point for new listeners, Eolune doesn't depend on another band's work.  They know their strong points and they stick to them.

If you stripped every song on this EP of the electronic based sounds, you would be left with an articulate guitar driven album.  If you instead took away every organic instrument, you would have a heavy beat driven, yet melodically ambient, record.  That's what I like about the album.  You can dig beneath the layers for a different perspective.

Eolune have released Tiny Oceans as a "pay what you want" album.  Any and every amount that you do pay for the record will be directly donated to the American Red Cross in order to aid Japan.  It's an honorable and incredible move on their part, so please do purchase the album here to help.

Eolune - Canvas

Alternative rock and electronic are two completely different genres.  Not often are they compared or used together.  Bands such as Nine Inch Nails combine metal and electronic styles, but not entirely alternative.  What would happen if they were combined?  Eolune has merged elements of the two genres to create the Canvas EP.  Does this experiment truly work?  It their case, it does.

The main elements that are taken from the electronic style are the synths and beats.  The majority of the synthesizers that are used are in the bass range.  While an acoustic drum kit is used, the beat patterns are very reminiscent of a more digitally contrived production.  Similar vibes can be felt from the guitar work on tracks such as "Tangled".

At six tracks long, the EP gives a good taste for the band's sound.  They definitely have something different going on.  When I first heard the vocals on "Billboard", I thought of Isaac Brock, of Modest Mouse.  There is a similar tone between the well known alternative singer and Eolune's Corey Wade.

Because of the merge of two genres, Eolune's music appeals to more than one crowd.  Fans of alternative band's such as Silversun Pickups, Metric, and as previously mentioned Modest Mouse will find something here.  Also, listeners of acts like Imogen Heap, Ratatat, and Nine Inch Nails might enjoy the album.

To find more info on Eolune and download the Canvas EP (pay as you wish), visit the band's website, here.  This is an impressive debut album that could put the band on the map.  I see Eolune as a future alternative band to look out for.