[rating=3.50]
Scotland has become a hotbed for some engaging indie/pop/rock lately with Frightened Rabbit and We Were Promised Jetpacks each putting out excellent albums recently and Twin Atlantic continues this tradition albeit it in a heavier style. Somewhere between EP and full length comes Vivarium, a “mini album” from this
Power-pop/punk scrambles on top of deep bass grooves in the opener “Light Speed” while Sam McTrusty’s propulsive vocals instill a sense of hope. The metallic breakdown that concludes “Old Grey Face” is heavy as hell stopping and starting on dime where as “Caribbean War Syndrome” drops in some classical piano between the rising guitars. There’s an obvious Emo influence but the band seems to dig a bit deeper with scratching guitars one track and then soothing cello’s the next.
It seems from the lyrics of “You’re Turning Into John Wayne” that Twin Atlantic are conflicted about America, but if they keep producing music of this quality they will certainly be popular here before too long.
