Eastern Conference Champions--Santa Fe

     We Eastern Conference Champions fans have waited a long time for them to put out a record and for the time being, Santa Fe, their new 5-song EP, will have to do. We have to take what we can get, you know?

     It's actually quite good. "Common Sense" starts off with a crunching guitar riff and I really like it. Lead singer Josh Ostrander has lost none of his passion and energy in either his vocals or songwriting. The rest of the EP is a bit mellower but "Sideways Walking" has already wound its way into my head. I believe the TV show Melrose Place is going to feature it in an upcoming episode, which is pretty cool.

     My only complaint--well, disappointment, as there's nothing really wrong with it, per se--is that the drums are not as prominent as they were on their full-length, Ameritown. I think Greg Lyons is one of the best drummers I've ever heard and I miss his being more up front in the mix.

     Aside from that, I have no other complaints. Except that it's too short. And that I miss Vern. I'm not sure I miss him playing the bass so much as I miss the idea of Vern. Vern Zaborowski had the best mustache in all of bass guitardom and he was quite the dynamic presence onstage, but he left the band a while ago. In his place is Melissa Dougherty, and I must say she melded seamlessly into the sound, so I hope she doesn't take it as a slight that I'm sad that Vern is gone.

Eastern Conference Champions--"Common Sense" mp3 off Santa Fe EP (buy)

     Read this article in Buzzbands to learn a little more about them and the record. And make sure you get to see them if and when they come to your town.

tags: new music  eastern conference champions  

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