Labels: self released
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Volara is a four piece from Kansas I think, and they have a drummer called Paul Ackerman. I bet that made you sit to attention if you have ever listened to Giants Chair or the Farewell Bend, eh? Even though Volara have one too many members to be a mid-west emo power trio, they do employ a similar sound to forefathers such as the Farewell Bend, playing intense and moody indie rock full of intricate guitar work and groove laden rhythms. The vocals are strong (sort of make me think of if Eric Richter was angry), but not mixed too high which gives them a good balance with the twin guitars – one working the lower end of the sound and the other more piercing. Opening song “Nine Beat Nap” may be the pick of the bunch, doing a good job of building up, and exploding out of quieter moments that they drop into now and again. Track 4, “Bridge Over Cannon Fodder” reprises the old mid-west sound in a downbeat fashion, the chiming guitar reminds me of early Promise Ring for some reason. They finish on “Wok With You” which has a gorgeous twinkling intro with the vocals drifting in over the top. I like the wandering bass on this track, it gently nudges things along whilst the other elements of this repetitious song go about their business.
I enjoyed listening to this 20 minute cd as you simply do not hear many bands playing this style of music at the moment. This isn’t going to make your jaw drop, but I think the band are onto something and if they continue to develop their sound they’ll end up doing something special.