#phonolux

Hurricane - Phonolux

Who's that band? What's their name? Are they cool? Are they lame? Or you're talking about what's their name... PHONOLUX! PHONOOOLUX! What? No, I did not just take the theme song for a 90s cartoon and change the words, what ever are you talking about?

But seriously though, this band appeared out of the tall grass like a wild pokemon! But a super, super awesome wild pokemon.

Surprising though because for over six years, Texan natives Phonolux have been pumping out jams. They have released two albums so far, one in 2009 and another in 2012, and are now proud to show their new work in their recently released EP Feathered Fortress. 

Pinche Guero Review #10 - Phonolux Feathered Fortress EP

Phonolux Feathered Fortress EP

  The problem I tend to have with Phonolux's music, through the SA four-piece’s six years and now three releases, is that it's always "good" without being particularly original or interesting. The band is like a gentle mixer, ready to take on the taste and character of whatever strong stuff is poured into it. This is an affliction of which I believe the band to be at least partially aware. And over the years, whether in the form of continually switching instruments and stations on stage or focusing a great deal of their attention on sound quality over song quality, Phonolux has tried to compensate for their lack of musical identity. This new Feathered Fortress EP follows right along in this tradition — although I've heard they dropped the musical chairs routine (which could pay future dividends).

EP opener "And Then He's Gone" is basically a Goo Goo Dolls ballad, with the "edginess" of Matchbox 20 trying real hard to be Ryan Adams. The fact that I find it hard to describe without comparison is truly telling. Singer and piano player Buddy Calvo's voice, like so many of the elements of Phonolux's sound, is technically pretty decent — but somehow lacks authenticity or believability. And then the lyrics on this EP  mostly seem like the jaded attempts of a self-conscious turned self-righteous speaker (mostly or entirely Calvo) to piss on the brighter fires he sees burning around him. The promising moments of tension between piano and guitar at the beginning of track two "Goodbye" are an example of one thing that Phonolux does often do very well, but as the song trails off into a mush of piano and saccharine vocals singing bitter lines... You get the urge to go on to the next one.

It is worth noting a few things here. First of all, Phonolux is a (yawn) hard working band with great dexterity and technical skill — both in the studio and on stage. Secondly, the lead single off of Feathered Fortress, "Hurricane," is arguably the group's best track. Thirdly, with recent changes in line up and slight changes in approach, the band may be poised to become increasingly possessed of a unique musical identity.

And lastly... When it comes to the final judgment on this EP's awesomeness or tepidity, in the immortal words of Reading Rainbow's Levar Burton, "You don't have to take my word for it."

4.5 Micheladas out of 10

  -Dig this EP at the band's Reverbnation page: www.reverbnation.com/phonolux