Quiet Lions, a post-rock/indie four piece from Brighton and London, have proven to be a prolific group of song writers since their inception just a few months ago. After the breakup of their previous band, Jumping Ships, Michael Williams, Richard Thorpe and Oli Austen recruited new addition Luke Holmes and set about producing a portfolio of demo songs, 6 of which they have chosen to record and release as an EP entitled ‘Surroundings.
The voice is as much an instrument as the guitar that you hold in your hands or the drum kit that you sit behind and Quite Lions clearly subscribe to this idea. The guys are all competent singers at least and very talented singers at best and they take full advantage of this. The opening track, ‘Demons’, is essentially a compilation of two, three and four part harmonies layered upon a sombre and empty soundscape.
‘Demons’ leads seamlessly into ‘Just Deserve’, serving almost as an introduction for the opening track, rather than an opener in its own right. This is something that I always enjoy. The harmonies continue but, beneath them, we are introduced to a more structured sound as both bass and drums make their first appearance and the simpler verses discern themselves from a big chorus, reminiscent of bands like Biffy Clyro.
This theme continues through debut single ‘Are You Well?’ as deconstructed verses that tend to focus, lyrically, on personal issues and self-analysis give way to another soaring chorus featuring a single hook line. Before you get too comfortable, however, Quiet Lions introduce another side of themselves, a gripping guitar solo bursting forth from a post-chorus breakdown. This is as heavy as it gets on ‘Surroundings’ but the band would do well to look at this element of their music on future recordings as it suits them well.
The sparse and vacant musicality promptly returns as ‘Are You Well’ fades and ‘Goodbye Ivory’ probes its way into existence. Paradoxically, the track is incredibly unique yet still manages to provoke essences of other popular bands. The opening verse’s vocal melodies sound similar to something Keane may write and the broken down section of vocal harmonics at the halfway point remind me of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. It’s a thoroughly intriguing dynamic and deserves to be listened to time and again. To be honest, there’s so many undulating voices interacting with one another that it even demands to be listened to time and again.
‘Brave the Wind’ is the least impressive effort on ‘Surroundings’. It features many of the same components that can be heard in ‘Just Deserve’ and ‘Are You Well?’ but lacks the same level of imagination and charm. Then again, maybe I’ve just been spoiled by the preceding four tracks.
‘City Beneath the Sea’ is an apt way to finish an EP entitled ‘Surroundings’ and marks the rapid return to form that I had hoped to hear after ‘Brave the Wind’. It speaks about making a transition from one surrounding to another, namely from Brighton to London, and the toll it can take, whether the transition is your decision or not. There is a distinct determination on the part of the speaker to remember where he came from and not to forget the people that he will no longer share his life with. It’s a bittersweet ending that leaves you wanting more.
There are two things that I like most about ‘Surroundings’, and about Quiet Lions themselves. The first is the dedication they show towards using their vocals as creatively and constructively as possible. Throw some amped up instruments in front of a group of guys and, chances are, they’re going to try to make as much noise as possible. Subsequently, the very art of singing is often lost and becomes a secondary feature of the resultant music. Quiet Lions actively refuse to let this happen. The second thing I like about ‘Surroundings’ is the amount of thought that has gone into, not only each song on the EP, but the EP itself. Each track leads seamlessly into the next and manages, somehow, to be different from the last, whilst also maintaining an element on continuity and semblance.
‘Surroundings’ is a terrific debut effort from Quiet Lions and will, undoubtedly, garner much attention over the weeks and months to come, from critics and fans alike. Its harmonies are rich and persistent, the song writing is meticulous yet organic and it provides a thoroughly conversive and honest discourse. ‘Surroundings’ is a strong foundation on which Quiet Lions can build their brand and move forward and I look forward to hearing more from these guys.
The voice is as much an instrument as the guitar that you hold in your hands or the drum kit that you sit behind and Quite Lions clearly subscribe to this idea. The guys are all competent singers at least and very talented singers at best and they take full advantage of this. The opening track, ‘Demons’, is essentially a compilation of two, three and four part harmonies layered upon a sombre and empty soundscape.
‘Demons’ leads seamlessly into ‘Just Deserve’, serving almost as an introduction for the opening track, rather than an opener in its own right. This is something that I always enjoy. The harmonies continue but, beneath them, we are introduced to a more structured sound as both bass and drums make their first appearance and the simpler verses discern themselves from a big chorus, reminiscent of bands like Biffy Clyro.
This theme continues through debut single ‘Are You Well?’ as deconstructed verses that tend to focus, lyrically, on personal issues and self-analysis give way to another soaring chorus featuring a single hook line. Before you get too comfortable, however, Quiet Lions introduce another side of themselves, a gripping guitar solo bursting forth from a post-chorus breakdown. This is as heavy as it gets on ‘Surroundings’ but the band would do well to look at this element of their music on future recordings as it suits them well.
The sparse and vacant musicality promptly returns as ‘Are You Well’ fades and ‘Goodbye Ivory’ probes its way into existence. Paradoxically, the track is incredibly unique yet still manages to provoke essences of other popular bands. The opening verse’s vocal melodies sound similar to something Keane may write and the broken down section of vocal harmonics at the halfway point remind me of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. It’s a thoroughly intriguing dynamic and deserves to be listened to time and again. To be honest, there’s so many undulating voices interacting with one another that it even demands to be listened to time and again.
‘Brave the Wind’ is the least impressive effort on ‘Surroundings’. It features many of the same components that can be heard in ‘Just Deserve’ and ‘Are You Well?’ but lacks the same level of imagination and charm. Then again, maybe I’ve just been spoiled by the preceding four tracks.
‘City Beneath the Sea’ is an apt way to finish an EP entitled ‘Surroundings’ and marks the rapid return to form that I had hoped to hear after ‘Brave the Wind’. It speaks about making a transition from one surrounding to another, namely from Brighton to London, and the toll it can take, whether the transition is your decision or not. There is a distinct determination on the part of the speaker to remember where he came from and not to forget the people that he will no longer share his life with. It’s a bittersweet ending that leaves you wanting more.
There are two things that I like most about ‘Surroundings’, and about Quiet Lions themselves. The first is the dedication they show towards using their vocals as creatively and constructively as possible. Throw some amped up instruments in front of a group of guys and, chances are, they’re going to try to make as much noise as possible. Subsequently, the very art of singing is often lost and becomes a secondary feature of the resultant music. Quiet Lions actively refuse to let this happen. The second thing I like about ‘Surroundings’ is the amount of thought that has gone into, not only each song on the EP, but the EP itself. Each track leads seamlessly into the next and manages, somehow, to be different from the last, whilst also maintaining an element on continuity and semblance.
‘Surroundings’ is a terrific debut effort from Quiet Lions and will, undoubtedly, garner much attention over the weeks and months to come, from critics and fans alike. Its harmonies are rich and persistent, the song writing is meticulous yet organic and it provides a thoroughly conversive and honest discourse. ‘Surroundings’ is a strong foundation on which Quiet Lions can build their brand and move forward and I look forward to hearing more from these guys.