An exciting debut album.
Case In Theory is a four piece alternative/indie rock band from San Jose, California who, from what I’ve read online anyway, is heavily influenced by fellow Californian bands Incubus and Dregd. I’m not familiar with either of these bands but may get to know them better because I’m pretty impressed by the effervescent, feel good alt. rock that makes up what is the debut full length release from this young west coast band. The album is self released and was financed through funding generated from fans, friends and families of the band using the online funding web site KickStarter. On one hand you’ve got to congratulate the band for being so resourceful but on the other it does bring home how screwed up our beloved record industry is now in that talented musicians such as this have to resort to an almost cottage industry approach to get their music released to the masses.
The band take the bold move of including three short instrumental pieces, which in an album that only lasts some 37 minutes from start to finish could destroy the listening experience and have people heading for the skip button. But to their credit these rousing instrumentals give a beginning, middle and an end to the record and if anything they help the flow of the other material. As I’ve already said there is a real joie-de-vivre running through everything on the album, even the slower songs, which is down to well-crafted hooks and melodies mixed with pop sensibilities that are driven along by the hard-hitting hip-hop/funk influenced rhythm section of Ben Everett on bass and drummer Jamin Bracken. As a result, I think ‘Cinematic’ has real mainstream crossover appeal, which is typified by ‘Run Like Hell’ that builds from spacey four/four beat verse structure into a chorus that’s a crescendo of chiming guitars and infectious frenetic rhythms overlaid by the impressive clear as a bell vocals of Jonathan Posadas. And for a self released effort the production is equally remarkable giving real depth and punch to the sound.
This is an exciting debut album that I for one hope will propel the band to bigger and better things. So why not help them on their way by picking up a copy of ‘Cinematic’. Its exuberant, up-beat vibe could just be what you’re looking for to blow away those winter blues.
Alister Strachan