Almost There.
Madeleine are pretty cool. They have awesome band dynamics that remind me of why I liked Motion City Soundtrack when I first heard them. The first track on this record is 'This Town', it could make the perfect single the hooks draw you in, and its dazzling guitar parts bring almost electro elements to it. Mellow and catchy will always rest well with me. Second track, 'Strands', reminds me slightly - just slightly - of the formidable, soon to be defunct, Get Up Kids: almost emo, but sappy and pathetic. Purely driven from the heart, a standout delivery is given by all band members, a brilliant continuation from the first track. Track Three 'Strand' grates on me a little, gaining I Am Kloot style monotony and dull pop sounds, after the first track you know this band has more in them than his half arsed effort at ripping off Feeder. This effect continues until track eight. Blandness and fading into the background will never be a good thing, everything starts to become a mish mashed wish washy attempt at being "cool", not something you'd expect from a band that rate Strike Anywhere, Gorilla Biscuits and The Get Up Kids as influences.
'How It Goes' is the last track and saves it somewhat. Reminiscent of the Shins, but not quite as up to par, dreamy and melodic, I still can't help but feel disappointed though. I thought from the first track that this would provide a good new band that were consistent in their sound, but this German bunch fail to do so. I feel that if they had stuck to their guns, rather than resorting to blandness, this could've been a great record to buy but they let me down somewhat. Still, that one cohesive track still makes this EP worthwhile. A decent effort and definite room for growth and exploration, I'd give this a spin, but hold out because I believe the best is yet to come.