Justin Graves, Nathan Grieves, Micah Joe, and Nick Laskey have roots in the Maine metal scene — and you can tell. Over the course of the six songs on the Loups' debut EP, Holding Hands with the Crooked Man, their roots are lurking in the background, ready to fight through in places you might not expect.
"So Low in Outer Space," the EP's opener, is a fairly quiet rock piece, a little warbly around the edges, with a sweetly sung chorus, finishing in portamento. Suddenly, though, the piece shifts to a heavy rock sound, like someone grabbing you by the shoulders and giving you a good shake.
But that's nothing compared to the full-on hardcore opening of "Body Like a Rose," which follows. A complete juxtaposition, the song jolts you out of your seat with grimacing vocals from Graves, basically scream-o. Then they dial it back for the chorus, a nasally prog-rock delivery: "Yesterday I was dreaming/There was no sickness in me and you."
"Angel Dust" is a classic metal ballad, except that it's sort of alt-country, and at one point I think it borders on Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)." And "Candy Coated Dreams" moves from "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"-style psychedelia to speedball rock. Both the finishing songs feature paired vocals, one more classically delivered, the other screamed and caustic.
As an introduction, this EP is like shaking hands with a few different guys, but there's enough here to be interested in what personality they settle into.
Sam Pfeifle can be reached atsam_pfeifle@yahoo.com.
