The Casting Out feature members of the now defunct Boys Sets Fire, which you will hear as soon as Nathan Gray’s vocals kick in. Mixing up the likes of Tom Petty and Built To Spill with the likes of The Hold Steady and even the melodies (although not as poppy) of a Jack’s Mannequin, there’s a huge difference in the two acts. The passion is still there, but the songs are quieter, slow builders. Very impressive too – adding a piano does give the songs the honest feel I get from listening to The Hold Steady, although it’s not as southern sounding.
‘Awkward As We Came’ is a highlight, a track which fuses some excellent female backing vocals, while the whirling synth on ‘For Tonight’ is an excellent introduction to a song which is as catchy as the band get. I don’t know what the band’s plans are – they appear to be so far unsigned – but if this EP is anything to go by, a bright future lies ahead.