Man Without Wax - Anchor [CD]
 

Where to start with this album? Well, lets just say that these Seattle boys have had a great deal of influence from across the wide genre’s of pop, rock, grunge alternative and emo. There is so much going on, on this album. It all starts very Muse-esc with falsetto vocals over a simple picked guitar line, which then gently builds up to a climactic Coheed and Cambria style ending, giving you a taste of the quality that is contained on the album.

The great thing is that the little hints of influences only pop up for a second, making this an amalgamation of all the best bits of other bands and not just another wanna be band. The addition of keyboards to the standard formation of 2 guitar’s, drums and bass give their sound extra depth, whether it be through simple accenting or full on swirling, winding electro pop lead lines.

The thing that is really surprising about this outfit is that this is their first release. What a way to make your musical debut. If this album gets the backing and support it deserves, you’ll be hearing this stuff played up there with Panic at the Disco, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. I’d give these guys a little something more than that due to their ability to encompass all the selling points of these 3 plus so much more and having a slightly heavier edge on some tracks.

The vocals are the thing that holds this album together so strongly. They are spot on, colourful and full of character. The backing vocals also make a great addition to the already sterling performance of the lead man. Dynamically this album does everything you want. Expect to here a lot more from this band very soon, they will be big!