Straight Lines = ‘Escapology’ EP (Released 28th January via Xtra Mile Recordings)
Straight Lines make an early impression on 2013 with the ‘Escapology’ EP. The title track of the EP sees the band with a touch of enthused swagger, bursting it seems with musical ideologues and spin all lyrical ,makes you want a 2013 rock to expand, even more? At least very nearly, mind you rocks has so many wonderful offshoots, so I will not shout too loud, but if this was your first exposure, to discover the band’s first release of the year would leave you a little giddy to find a band at such ease and creatively minded, making accessible rock.
;Escapology’ is a robust anthemic 3.34 soundtrack, that will be a titan live no doubt, already there, one suspects is track 4, their take of ‘Ring the Bells’ (acoustic). Tom Jenkins vocal works well on ‘Empty Chest’ which is above standard, probably my favourite of the four tracks here, but in musical terms of song structure and performance the live session of ‘Half Gone’ is an effective musical barometer of how far the group have come. Straight Lines have evolved, proving that the DIY ethic of the band the studio workload has paid dividends, no shock really, as 2012’s ‘Freaks Like Us’ was much more diverse second album anyway, it spawned three singles, the band embarked on their first European tour with label mates Sonic Boom Six so now it’s more of a case that it’s a very good time to see their live set especially as the band will be heading out on tour with the brilliant We Are The Ocean in January and February 2013. If the ‘Escapology’ EP is a fair banner for most bands to tour under, expect a great live set enhanced possibly with the bonus of latest release, if this EP is anything to go by. 8/10
Steve Janes
On Tour with We Are The Ocean in January and February as follows:
30th Jan – The Forum, Kent
31st Jan – The Waterfront, Norwich
1st Feb – Koko, London
2nd Feb – The Fleece, Bristol
4th Feb – Academy 2, Birmingham
5th Feb – Academy 2, Manchester
6th Feb – The Duchess, York
7th Feb – The Garage, Glasgow
9th Feb – 02 Academy, Newcastle
10th Feb – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth