Review- The Weeds "Roots/Routes"

Band- The Weeds
Album- Routes/Routes
Label- No Sleep Records/Catskull Records
Release Date- Feb 26th, 2013

  

Comprised of ex-members from familiar bands including Transit and Late Nite Wars, The Weeds are a fresh new indie pop group from Boston looking to make waves in 2013.  The band’s debut EP Roots/Routes channels some of American Football’s best moments, combining Midwestern emo influences with a driving punk edge, lightened by the infectious nature of their pop sensibilities.   Much in the vein of PA indie rockers Tiger’s Jaw, the distinct voices of male vocalist Joe Lacy and female vocalist Justine DeFeo complement each other beautifully, bringing forth a friendly sound distraught with not-so-friendly-lyrics and backed by warm harmonies and vocal trade-offs throughout. 

The opening of the EP sounds like something Title Fight would’ve written on a sunny day.  The guitars jangle atmospherically for a brief moment as the band grooves along with mellow temperament. Drummer John Hadley soon takes the helm, driving a fast upbeat rhythm underneath layers of clean guitar and the rougher edge provided by Jarek Maj’s distorted punctuating bass tone.  This vibe persists throughout the first two tracks, “Sunset Eyes” and “Attention”, inspiring comparisons to defunct emo-punk band Grown Ups.  The lyrics are poignant, honest, and often cutting, showcasing such jabbing lines as “if you haven’t felt hate / don’t tell me what love is”. 

The record takes a bit of a turn with the next few tracks as  DeFeo takes hold of the lead mic.  While Lacy's vocal style takes on a crisp fragile wail, not dissimilar to that of Matt Pryor, DeFeo’s voice is ripe with character, providing a bitter pop-rock twinge and adding more colour to the band’s sound.  Both vocalists seem to excel at providing backups with the echoes at the end of “Feel Nothing” serving as a standout.  All the while, the guitars noodle and interweave with the brightness of some of the best twinkle daddy bands of recent years, contributing substantially to the warm vibes of the band.

Overall, The Weeds put a very accessible spin on the traditional emo sound.  The EP is definitely a lighter, pop-infused alternative to the more jagged bands who take on the whole Cap’n Jazz approach to the genre.  If you enjoy newer Transit, or are a fan of pop-punk in general and looking for some easy listening, this record should more than satisfy.  Hell, this will probably appeal to Paramore fans as well.

For fans of: Tiger’s Jaw, Grown Ups, Algernon Cadwallader, Title Fight, The Get Up Kids

Reviewed by Justin Kwok