OFFICIAL: http://quantumsplit.com/
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Written
by William Elgin, posted by blog admin
The
initial release from Qauntum Split, America, is a two song outing bearing the
fruit of friendships first formed at the renowned Berklee College of Music.
Vocalist/guitarist Soleil Laurent joined forces with fellow classmates Anthony
Anderson, Adrian Reed, and Ivan Hardy to form a serious musical outfit that not
only vented their considerable musical talents, but provided them an ideal
platform for making personal statements important to them. Their debut release
benefits immensely from a high quality production job highlighting the band’s
multitude of strengths and giving them the sort of presentation first time acts
normally only dream of. It is apparent, even after a single listen, this is a
band united in their creative vision and possesses a rare sympathetic union of
spirit reaching far beyond the benchmarks many new acts need to reach to make
maximum possible impact.
The
title track alternates between sly, slinky neo-funk moods, carried primarily by
tasteful guitar and inventive drumming, and all out blasts of raucous electric
guitar. Vocalist Laurent shows impressive versatility with her ability to
freely move between these contrasting styles while ceding none of her power or
credibility. Quantum Split is clearly a band who understands the value of
dynamics. The movement between its more pensive and explosive sections is
seamlessly carried off and makes for a dramatic arrangement. The lyrical
content reaches a similarly high level without ever becoming too
self-important. A song entitled “America” might seem like it promises either
inarticulate punk rage or else some self-important musings on the state of the
Republic, but “America” here doesn’t over-indulge in either characteristic and,
instead, resounds with the sort of intelligence we expect based on the musical
arrangement alone. This is a band clearly capable of surprise and the title
track hits that mark quite solidly.
The
second track “Runaway” continues in much of the same rock/soul vein as the
title cut, but there’s a much greater emphasis here on the personal as opposed
to larger ideas about country and our place in it. Quantum Split, obviously,
varies their sound some, but they follow the same general template for this
track that listeners hear on the title cut. It doesn’t end up sounding samey at
all. It is, instead, quite clear that the band has a style they’ve already
honed to a sharp edge and it cuts deep into listeners on a first pass. America
is an impressive first effort for the band and a clear indication they are
talents to watch. Rock may not enjoy the same widespread popularity it once
did, but don’t tell Quantum Split that. They seize upon the form with a
vengeance and deliver a two song set that will dismiss any ideas about a dead
art form. This is modern rock music with a compelling presentation and an
unbowed spirit.
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