Rating: NN
This latest release from local rock band the Balconies is a textbook example of a whole that’s less than the sum of its parts. Each member brings real talent to the table: the singing swings from plaintive to soaring, the drumming is propulsive and aggressive, and the guitar work dynamic and exciting.
Ultimately, though, none of that matters if the songs don’t stick, and for the most part these don’t. The Balconies are shooting for a late 80s sound and certainly nab it, but this also means that any really catchy hooks are secondary to tone and glossy production. The band is strongest on the quieter tracks, when everyone dials it back just enough to create some dynamic contrast.
Top track: Do It In The Dark
The Balconies play Lee’s Palace with Say Yes February 1.
