Volcanoes – ‘Sugar And Snarls’ EP review

Following their first album ‘Shaking That Brass’, the Leeds/Sheffield based four-piece ‘Volcanoes’ have launched their latest EP ‘Sugar And Snarls’. It is hard to assign Volcanoes to a specific musical genre as they have officially been described as Alt-Rock/Indie, however I feel every track has a different leaning which adds to the variation and energy of the EP. The band started as a two piece acoustic act but has gradually evolved, quite appropriately, into a creative musical volcano.

The first song on ‘Sugar and Snarls’ is ‘Level Up’ and it opens the EP with a bang, producing a sound which is  buzzing with energy,  a rhythm which induces involuntary toe tapping, and a memorable melody which you will find yourself humming, if not shouting. These components laced with guitar riffs, create a chorus of delirium which would come into its own as a live performance.

‘Fret the half moon’ is an upbeat, powerful track with plenty of attitude. The song leads up to a catchy chorus accompanied by a frequent sinister guitar riff, creating a climax which is released in the energy of the instrumental. I guarantee that this track, when played at a loud volume, will make you get your air guitar out. This power then simmers slightly in the third track on the EP, ‘Pigs In Blankets’, which sounds like an energetic  jazz band, accompanied by a steady drum beat and northern vocals.

My personal favourite is the final track on the EP, ‘Fathoms’. It is a melodic and infectious tune which opens with a Stone Roses-esque instrumental. As it gathers momentum, rhythmic endorphins are released to produce a sound which I can only compare to early Red Hot Chilli Peppers, but with a northern swagger. The lyrics accompanying the song are well written and seem to describe a recurring romance, addictive but destructive ‘we are the ruin of each other and to this I surrender’. Volcanoes have all the ingredients in ‘Fathoms’ for a musical masterpiece.

You can find out more about Volcanoes on their MySpace and you can listen to and buy the ‘Sugar and Snarls’ EP on iTunes.