It’s that time of the year again when everybody desperately attempts to tie-up all those loose-ends before the New Year. Here at PT that means trying to clear as many reviews as possible, a feat only achieved by excavating CDs from tombs of dust, or the MP3 equivalent. You see, we try to be as up-to-date and prompt as possible but sometimes releases inevitably slip through the net.
In June PT was passed a CD following a set by acoustic duo, BYGONE. That CD slipped by the wayside and now, upon its unearthing, proves us to be behind. About a month after this exchange the band released a second EP. So, to make up for lost time, here’s a two-for.
BYGONE (2009)
Released a year ago, ‘Bygone‘ is four tracks of familiar acoustic folk-punk that doesn’t set about breaking any new ground, yet at the same time still manages to hold its own. It’s simplistic dual guitar stuff, holding together tight vocals and motivating lyrics. In all honesty, Bygone seems to know its sound already, feeling no real need to deviate from a clear blueprint. If there’s a moment that the band outthinks itself then it’s the cover of Ignite‘s ‘Live For Better Days’, a track that highlights a few vocal inadequacies, but then it’s hard to compare anybody to Zoli Téglás (there’s a reason Pennywise swooped for him). Still, the track doesn’t make you want to splinter your own eardrums so it’s not all bad.
WHEN THE GOING GETS WEIRD, THE WEIRD TURN PRO (2010)
Slightly more recently (five months ago), Bygone released a second EP. ‘When The Going…’ is more of the same although with a focus on shorter songs and stronger backing vocals. Its three tracks prove methodically implemented, and lyrically conscious, yet a little bit blunter than the previous offering. At about six minutes there’s a little bit of a ‘tacked on’ feel, but still, it’s decent enough stuff.
Take the two EPs as a whole and you have not a bad little number, and certainly a nice introduction to a band that’s not likely to amaze, but is likely to impress. Both are available for free download over at the Bygone bandcamp page.
ALEX HAMBLETON