| Now while your first thoughts when thinking about Memphis, Tennessee may drift
towards the sparkleyness of Graceland, you might want to rearrange your thoughts
when I bring up Egypt Central. Natives of the area, this five piece started back in
2001 and was immediately signed by Lava records when they saw their live
performance, so you know we are in for something remarkable. After the independent
release of their self titled album back in 2005, we were treated to a reissue of it
at the beginning of this year with a few track differences.
Following in the same format as past bands such as Smile Empty Soul, Cold and
Saliva, Egypt Central casts an alt-rock set of tracks that have handfuls of energy
and a repetitive nature. Tales of sorrow and regret ooze from this self titled
album's lyrics and while it isn't on the "I hate everything" level of Three Days
Grace (thank god) it is reaching pretty hard into the angsty regions of rock.
On the other side, their music is symmetrically sectioned and has immense energy
that could get people jumping from their seats at shows, much like what you could
find from bands like Linkin Park. The vocals are also consistently well done and
stretch from screams to moody singing throughout.
Egypt Central's self titled record is something to be noticed but you will feel
like you have heard a lot of stuff like it before (good or bad, you decide). I
thought it was a nice CD to jam to while I work out or get my swell on at the gym,
but it will most likely fall through the large cracks that alt-rocks floor seems to
be riddled with.
~ Pernell
March 29 2008 |
