Do you dig the power behind Dustin Kensure vocals of Thrice? Or how about The Receiving End of Sirens’s constant flowing riffs that lay perfectly on top of the rest of the other instrumental tracks? How about Circa Survive’s ambient nature that they evoke with their music? Well, if I have struck your fancy with these artists, you should definitely check out the up and coming artists, The Orphan, The Poet, and look out for their recently released EP, Translating, that dropped May 31st.
The “introspective” Ohio newcomers have been really pushing themselves since their last EP, In Brevity, in 2009. Sprouting from the rich farmlands of Ohio, they took their boondocks location, and “their solitary inception as a badge of honor, giving it credit for much of the honesty and introspection found in their music,” as quoted in their biography. This gives them some substance so far, right? If not, their music will absolutely sell you, as it did me.
The album opens up with “Sleeping Giants,” sending you floating into some atmospheric dream with lead singer David Eselgroth’s calm, yet passionate, voice and Jared Snavely’s avant-garde tweaks he puts on his guitar and riffs. Here is where you’ll find that hint of Circa Survive tickling your ears. “Turncoat” is the catchier track on the album, offering those constant pull-off/hammer on their guitar licks, and a sporadic breakdown with complimentary delay effects that will excite your senses.
“Water Seeker” uses slight pauses and breakdowns that add intensity to the song. The lyrics are powerful metaphors about seeing yourself as a reflection in the water and trying to keep your focus and shape. The ending feedback of the guitar leads you into “Black and White Photograph,” which is the ballad of the album about reminiscing the memories that may not have been the best of times.
”Invincible” ties Translating all together with a slow drum roll pattern that carries throughout the song. Eselgroth sings over and over “we were invincible, we were untouchable,” which is definitely a strong universal line that will be felt by every listener to come in contact with it. Throughout the song the buildups are like holding your breath until you can’t anymore, and that initial release is how it feels when it breaks after the pinnacle.
The Orphan, The Poet is an amazing band worthy to watch out for. They are exactly what everyone is looking for; a great mesh of that sort of intensity fused with an ambient rock, which is hard to come by.
Fore more information on The Orphan, The Poet check out their Facebook page. Get Translating now on iTunes.