Review: Dinosaur Death Trap EP
Downington, PA’s Dinosaur Death Trap presses all of the right buttons on their debut, self-titled EP. Resplendent guitars, pitch-perfect vocals and a production quality beyond any rational expectation for an unsigned indie rock band, collectively serve as the foundation for a five-track release that feels as if its resided in your back pocket for years. Familiar and accessible, Dinosaur Death Trap’s is a sound that seems destined for an audience beyond the West-Philly suburb that the band calls home.
Opening track “Sticks and Mud” begins with the guttural growl of the bass on full reverb before collapsing into a cascade of perfectly layered “Aahs.” “Cause we don’t dress it up / We know where we’re from” lead singer Dylan Pennell croons with a nonchalant confidence. Keys twinkle beneath a clean, addictive guitar riff. And with that we’re off.
The centerpiece of the release, “Torchbearer” plays like a less-theatrical version of Conveyor’s “Mukraker.” Or maybe it’s just the repetition of each song’s three-syllable title. I don’t know, it’s late at night and my judgment is beginning to grow suspect. What I do know is this: Here, as throughout the release, Dinosaur Death Trap works in perfect balance. Each member of the five-piece weaves impeccably around the other.
With each successive spin, it seems all the more impossible that Dinosaur Death Trap EP is a first effort. It’s not that the music is overtly complex, but this is a sophisticated, thoughtful release from a group of guys who should still be fumbling around in search of their respective roles. Listen to “Sticks and Mud” below and name your price for a digital download of the EP via Bandcamp.
Connect with Dinosaur Death Trap via Facebook
Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Chase King “Misty”
“Misty” is the lead-off track from Queens native Chase King’s debut LP South Tropical Trail, released July 30 on NYC artist collective/record label Wonderland Archives. Here, the vocals appear diluted as if ran through a harmonica microphone over a delicious, understated guitar riff. King wrestles with the intangible nature of a higher power and the inevitable disappointment that comes from a desperate plea for a sign. Then he shrugs, content in his realization that such divine insight can be found anywhere, in anything, given the proper outlook.
Connect with Chase King via Facebook
Written by Rob Peoni
Video: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib “Shame”
Gary native Freddie Gibbs has been perhaps the most talented and the most visible Indiana rapper for a while now. Gibbs has released numerous mixtapes and appeared on tracks with everyone from Young Jeezy to Domo Genesis, but he hasn’t had a project yet that has seen him fully realize his potential. His new video for “Shame” from the EP of the same name with the ‘Beat Konducta’ Madlib finds Gibbs acting out his player/drug dealer verses and trying to give the listeners a visual that truly represents his perspective, just like his video for “Thuggin” (a prequel to “Shame”). Gibb’s brand of unapologetic gangsta rap is always technically solid, but his recent work over Madlib’s soulful production has me thinking that the duo’s upcoming album has classic potential. Pick up the Shame EP and the Thuggin EP over at Stones Throw Records.
Connect with Freddie Gibbs via Facebook | Twitter
Written by John Bugbee
Thought on Tracks 