[ Genres: Rock / Pop ]
The self-described “band of brothers” aptly named The Relative Strangers is essentially a laid-back yet eccentric group of guys who love to make music, and with David Alcala on vocals/keys, Daniel Alcala on vocals/guitar, Craig Garcia on bass, and Chris Garcia on drums, that collective personality dynamic shines through in their music. Stylistically, this indie-oriented outfit lands among such bands as The Killers, We Are Scientists, or a younger Panic! at the Disco, while hinting at classic rock influences. Upcoming shows include a concert at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA on June 2nd, which is SOLD-OUT, and another on July 27th at AMPLYFi in Los Angeles.
[ Sounds like: Muse, Foo Fighters, The Dear Hunter, The Cure ]
… read the rest if this author’s review below …
“What’s the Weapon of Choice?” by The Relative Strangers rated on a 5 Star Rating Scale
Our debut single Produced by Barrett Slagle – Engineered by Kyle Griffin – Recorded at Artisans Studios Fullerton, CA – Mastered by Chris Sorem at D.A.R. Studios Westminster, California
Author Rating: 3.6/5
Composition: 4/5 Arrangement: 4/5 Performance: 3/5 Production: 4/5 Hit Potential: 3/5
This band seems to be standing on the bank of the mainstream looking in their bag for swim trunks so they can swim with the salmon against the current. What I’m saying is that, judging by this particular song, The Relative Strangers are primed and ready to make a splash. The music is oddly catchy in the number of ways the main motifs are incorporated into the song. The continuous groove of the drums and the bass on the upbeats is enough to get virtually any head bobbing. The background electric piano and the sporadic ascending vocalizing figures are exactly the kind of figures that creep up on the unsuspecting ear and haunt the victim, eventually manifesting themselves as humming them on the way into the grocery store. Although the lyrics of the chorus could do with some retooling (rhyming “me” with itself is redundant), it’s still strong due to its cumulative nature. What really makes the song is its construction, though. The verses flow well. The chorus is well-prepared. The bridge sounds like it was meant to be precisely where it is. These characteristics all create a solid foundation upon which the other attractive materials can be displayed.
My own musical tastes are vast and various, and in time, The Relative Strangers could easily earn themselves a spot in my iTunes library. Twin brothers David and Daniel Alcala both possess vocal qualities that favor vocalists like Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco or Patrick Stump of Fallout Boy, and that’s a plus in my book. I will mention that their track “A Sweet Fear” is in a completely different style, and though it has its moments, the instrumentation causes it to sound dated and generally awkward. In similarly different fashion, “In Early Morning” is another style, and personally, I feel it’s nice to know that a band has diverse interests, tastes, and influences, though this trait could alienate potential fans. All in all, I would keep an eye on this relatively strange quartet. They may make a sound in the world one day.
Follow The Relative Strangers on the web & these social networks
Sonic Bids – Reverb Nation – MySpace – Youtube – Facebook – TheRelativeStrangers.com