Cardboard Kids – “VIBE”

The hook heavy bluesy rock band from Nashville returns with “Vibe,” the first single from the band’s forthcoming HIGH EP. I wasn’t sure if I liked the song at first – perhaps I had overhyped it in my own mind. What’s definitely apparent is the fact that Cardboard Kids might be one of the most consistent bands I’ve ever heard in terms of feel and style of the songs. However, right around the time I started to thing “man, I wish this band would do something a little adventurous” the guitars and the effects seemed to roar in response. Cardboard Kids is crafting rock for the masses, and inserting little Easter eggs to jump out for music snobs and supernerds.

-Ryan Getz

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/222116730″ /]

The Odds of Being Born – “Fall Into My Engine”

The Odds of Being Born aren’t even a year old—their first live outing was at Live at the Garden festival—but they’re already using a growling bass to punch a hole in the Columbus music scene. This single does an amazing job broadcasting what you’ll find once you take a tumble down that hole both aesthetically and musically.

You’ll notice right away that the instrumentation is sparse yet powerful—they’re a trio that makes the most out of bass, keys and drums—and blends together nicely to hold a solid groove carpeted over with a fuzzy layer of aggression. Fitting right in the equation, you’ll find lead singer and bassist Chris Albert’s deep crooning vocals bringing the track to a dusty desert bar with melodies reminiscent of a Queens of the Stone Age number. Combine his deep voice with the thunderous drums and bass, and it it would seem there’s almost too much low-end, that is if it weren’t for the shimmer of high-end coming from the backdrop of keys.

Fall Into My Engine is compositionally sound and doesn’t take too many risks in putting itself out there. The fact that the band is able to make this much sound with this few instruments should get everyone in the Columbus scene excited. It will be interesting to see where they go from here but for now we can just be happy we get to listen to a great debut track.

-Steve Knapp

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO1JhWexdgg[/youtube]