The nine-track full-length debut from Tampa three-piece Radarmen? (guitarist/singer Rodney Smith, bassist/singer David Kibby and drummer Adam Revak) creeps and surges through dark sonicspheres of post-punk, experimental rock and ‘90s grunge-alternative. Straightforward angular numbers with memorable guitar hooks and snotty nasal vocals like set opener “End of Story” are joined by the more urgent dissonance of tracks like “Down and Out” with its screaming reverb and ominous basslines, and the title track, propelled by crunchy distortion, complex shreds and clean-picked solos in ambient tones.
“Notes Like Morse Code” carries a light vein of unexpected melody amid the discordant progressions, as does the hidden instrumental track following album closer “This Crown”; the echoing layered guitars and restrained lowend glimmer feel like a calm and hopeful end to Echoes in Sound’s general turbulence, and brings added dimension to its otherwise gloomy vibe.
Critics’ Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars.
If you missed the tracks we posted last week in honor of Radarmen's CD release show, take a listen below and click here to 'Like' the band on Facebook and look out for upcoming Radarmen? live dates.