The classic Long Island pride emanates from …But I Have To like heat radiating from a terrible fever; it’s ubiquitous. Bellwether-the composers-is a noteworthy local LI band, whose sophomore EP was produced by Vinnie Caruana and Brett Romnes (I Am The Avalanche). The record is a solid follow-up to 2011’s The Elephant In The Room EP, and isn’t a far stretch from what fans of Bellwether are accustomed to.
The five-track EP is diverse in sound, but not so much so that we lose Bellwether’s true talent amidst the array of melodies. Both the opening and closing tracks-Compromise and Roots (the latter most likely being the album’s strongest track)-begin with vocals in a lower tone that are carried out almost as if it’s a narration for a short story, which is then cut off by the full band doing their job and blowing the competition away. Compromise, which is also the first single off the EP-features some driving guitar and bass melodies coupled with alternating drum rhythms that, when combined, give the track some balance and unpredictability. Towards the end of the song, the vocals branch out into the famous dual-vocal style made famous by fellow Lawn Guy-Landers Taking Back Sunday. The opening guitar melodies for Simple Science sound like something seen on Enema Of The State-not too shabby, don’t ya think? Tolls and Mirror Miracle are both decent album-fillers, giving the EP enough boost to maintain the listeners attention while guiding the way to the highlights of the record.
In the antithesis of a sophomore slump, Bellwether gives listeners some pop punk spackle used to fill in the gaps in between prior releases and a possible future debut LP. …But I Have To is yet another contender among the many to gain a respectable spot in best releases of 2013; be on the lookout.
Tracklist:
1. Compromise
2. Tolls
3. Minor Miracle
4. Simple Science
5. Roots
Rating:
Written by Melissa Jones
