The adjective “explorative” carries with it a certain weight. Curious sailers once explored the world. In the present day, curious physicists explore the possibilities of the known universe. And medical professionals explore daily the limits of the human body.
Yet, when applied to a rock band, the word “explorative” can inspire thoughts of wanky prog noodlings or the ear-testing squalls of alternative noise makers. Fortunately on its debut EP Ripples, the four-piece Amherst band Young Tricksters treats listeners to a third possibility.
According to the EP’s official press release, band guitarist Ryan Severin describes Ripples as a, “a stylistically diverse compilation of songs,” that “features a more accessible sound than our previous demo recording.”
What this description means to listeners is quickly illustrated on the record’s first track, “Where the River Ends.” Beginning with a distant drum beat and guitar reminiscent of rain drops falling through forest leaves, the gentle sound of the song is broken up by sections of electric guitar squeals before segueing back to its soft drum and guitar opening just moments before its resolution.
The impression of such a number is that instead of spreading its “stylistically diverse” thoughts out across an entire album, the band has chosen to cram numerous influences into each track, creating an engaging listen because one truly doesn’t know what may come next.
This unpredictability doesn’t stop at the opening cut. The song “Farewell My Friends” features glockenspiel from And The Kids member Megan Miller interspersed between rousing verses that include lines about not turning one’s back on the past and going with the flow. Elsewhere, the single “Twisted Love” parses the difference between two lovers – one “crazy” and one “insane” – over similarly wild and distorted guitar. And the EP’s closing title cut is a fitting finale. Stacking funked up wah-wah guitar over pummeling drums before dissolving its crescendo into a strummed acoustic closing, the song shows the members of Young Tricksters are still exploring their talents.
“We simply create whatever sounds good to us,” the group says.
Now for fans and discerning listeners everywhere there are plenty of good sounds to explore, but with Ripples the Young Tricksters have given everyone a great place to start.
For more information on the Young Tricksters please visit www.youngtricksters.com.
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