The Republic Of Wolves - His old branches (EP)

You may have missed it, but there's been a small buzz going on around The Republic Of Wolves. The daily sales of this EP were somehow greater than Rihanna and Lady Gaga on Amazon MP3 downloads a few weeks ago. Why? Partly because the demos for those songs got leaked online as the demos for Brand New's 'Daisy' album. Instant explosion. The band wasn't involved in it (a friend of them was), but they're certainly not unhappy about it today.

Obviously, if they got confused with Brand New, you can guess both bands have a quite similar sound. A lot of this EP sounds like the Long Island alternative kings (where The Republic Of Wolves also come from): somber and ghostly production, screeching guitars, alternation between soft and heavy moments, even the singer has a similar tone to Jesse Lacey. On tracks like 'A weather vane' and the great 'Spill', the proximity between the two acts' music definitely is obvious. The band's songs are complex, subtle and deep, well-written both lyrically and musically. Tracks like 'The clouds' and 'His old branches' are standout cuts for their emotional potential and their ability to create atmospheres. 'Cardinals' is very good too, somewhere between The Appleseed Cast and recent Thrice. There is something in the way vocals are put out that reminds me of Band Of Horses as well. Overall, some parts bring the record down, but it's an impressive debut.

Many fans, disgusted by 'Daisy', stated that The Republic Of Wolves' EP was better. I wouldn't go that far even if Brand New's last effort really disappointed me, but if we have to compare those two releases, this one has more cohesiveness. It's a very promising first record that only makes us wish for the band that they will get out of their influence's shadow.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
Brand New, The Appleseed Cast, Band Of Horses
Check also:
The King And The Thief, Every Atlas, Tigers On Trains

www.myspace.com/therepublicofwolves
(Self-released, 2009)