The Notionaries are a conglomerate of musicians assembled from various cities around the middle of the US to form a band with a fun, accessible sound, just in time for summer. This is no record label stunt though. This is a group of friends making music they want to. You might recognize bass player Nick Patrick and guitarist Logan Rine from their time touring with Abandon Kansas. Vocalist Lamar Fite and drummer Andrew Hise round out the sound.

The EP, as alluded to earlier, is out just in time for summer jammin’. Two Door Cinema Club is an obvious comparison to the 80s-inspired alternative group, which draws more of a straightforward pop rock sound as opposed to a new wave style, although we hear hints of both – notably in the vocals. The chorus in “Bandit” in particular takes on an ethereal cadence similar to some new wave tunes you might have heard.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lu_eLdKKfQ[/youtube]

The overall feel of the EP doesn’t blow me away but its a lot of fun to listen to. I don’t foresee the songs becoming stadium anthems in the near future but I don’t think that’s the goal of the band. The Notionaries aren’t setting out to be self-indulgent rock stars. These songs are huge, but in a different, more genuine way. “Excited Eyes” is an excellent choice for a first single because it immediately draws you in but the band seems to be saving the best for later in their marketing. It will be a good one-two punch.

I’m writing this review on the patio of a cafe in Grandview Heights, OH and I wasn’t even planning on listening to The Notionaries intially when I started writing this. But the early summer vibes gave me the urge to spin the tunes. I want to hear this at an outdoor festival. I want to hear these songs being spun by the DJ while waiting in the queue for Millennium Force at Cedar Point.

Get it?

Ok, now that you got it, you can go get this record.

Score: 4/5

The Notionaries are on iTunes, Facebook, Twitter

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