As the music industry becomes increasingly saturated with stereotypical rock groups making predictable rock albums, it’s refreshing that
World Below explodes out of the gate with the ready-for-radio track “Games We Play”. A clear candidate for first single, the song shows singer Pat Donovan’s ability to match a verse that keeps you listening with a chorus you’ll be banging your head against a wall to get out. Although the song does have a conventional radio-single arrangement, it wraps up with interesting keyboard work that will have you questioning if someone slipped in a Motion City Soundtrack record while you weren’t looking. (check out this acoustic version)
The band follows the catchy “Games We Play” with the slower “Wish You The Best”.
Not as immediately gratifying as “Games We Play”, ambitious lyrics and a refreshingly original bridge add up to it being an excellent choice for a second single. Containing the best drumming on the album, the song is also Nick Gallinger’s statement that his work adds an interesting element to the band. Just as you think you’ve heard this chorus before, Gallinger’s decision to pepper the back half of the chorus with a ska beat slaps you in the face like a rude date. Alex Arthurs’ piercingly appropriate riff at the end of the first two choruses does nothing but give you more incentive to re-listen.
The EP chugs along with the darker, moodier title track “World Below In Stereo”. Embedded acoustic guitars give the song depth while Donovan continues to show his eagerness to envelope the songs with accessible melodies.
“My Ceiling” is the most unpredictable song on the record, and its aspiration outweighs its impact. But the unconventional arrangement gives bassist Chris Maurice an opportunity to show the low end of the band. While Maurice’s stellar bass work could be overshadowed by Arthurs’ generally high-pitched riffs on the album, “My Ceiling” displays the chemistry between Maurice and Gallinger, with the rhythm section carrying the bridge.
Just as you might have been thinking that the album needed to be faster, the angry and aggressive “Thimble Cottage” comes screaming out of your speakers. But you may be ill-prepared for the mainly acoustic “Growing Old Without You”. As World Below’s ballad, the song gets about as far from the beginning of the album as possible. Featuring beautiful female vocals accompanying Donovan, the song sticks out from the pack, before “Written Roses” picks up where “Games We Play” left off.
Simply put, World Below In Stereo is worth your time. The record takes you on a ride with enough tempo changes and emotional diversity to keep you interested. Tastefully sprinkled throughout the 7 songs are moments where each member is given an opportunity to shine, and done so in a way that doesn’t seem forced. Pat Donovan’s vocals are stimulating, his lyrics are thoughtful, and a sigh of relief will be breathed when you realize that although he could, he refuses to sing in that expected whiny fashion of emo rockers. Chase The Light has a bright future ahead, and it will be a treat to see where this quartet take their sound on a full-length album. (check out this interview with Chase The Light at The Drive in Kingston, ON)
