Ashes Ashes, "Fly Away Phoenix" (3/5)

On their most recent EP, Fly Away Phoenix, Bay Area band Ashes Ashes brings a distinctive twist to a classic alternative rock sound.

This five song EP starts out powerfully with the track “Lucky You” and finishes through to the end just as strong. The sound of each of the songs is consistent throughout the record (steady, rhythmic beats alongside distinguishing guitar riffs), but in general, its presentation is nothing too out of the ordinary. The main highlights of the album are the last two tracks, “Castles” and “Step Left, Step Left”. In “Castles”, the band breaks it down into a slightly slower jam, which blends perfectly into the intense experimental flavor of the final track.

Ashes Ashes exhibit a variety of musical influences, easily seen throughout their songs. The vocals of the singer, for example, show similarities to that of Chiodos’ Craig Owens during a few of the verses, and AFI’s Davey Havok during the some of the more belted-out choruses.

Since the band has the ability to intermingle their own sound with that of other bands, Fly Away Phoenix would be a decent album for anyone into current popular modern rock acts.

Favorite Song: Castles



Reviewed By: Cathy