Dynamite Walls is a cool indie rock band from San Diego. Their previous album “The Blinding Lights Above” was a great listen and I’m very curious to hear what they can show us on this brand new EP. “Stay Awake” features 6 well-balanced songs with a pointy edge and fun attitude. While it’s only a short album it still shows variety and creativity. But most of all I think it just shows a lot of musicality and class.
The EP starts out with the uptempo That Girl (Out of Control) which is a nice pointy pop/rock song that would make a good radio single. It’s fun to listen to and to sing along to. (or shout along to if you’re not such a good singer, haha). After that we hear the title track Stay Awake which took me a little longer to really get used to. I like the cool indie vibe to this song. It kind of feels like the song is pushing itself along, which is not a bad thing. It gives the song kind of a special signature sound that grows on you if you take the time to sit down and listen to this. A true album track.
Obvious radio single Kiss & Ride is up next. It was on the previous album also, but sounds even better this time. The chorus is amazing, as it just takes you along. It’s like The Fray mixed with a little Jimmy Eat World and then topped off in the Dynamite Walls specialty. I really enjoy this song. Blood On My Hands is probably my least favorite track on this EP, yet I still am really feeling it. So that’s a sign this is quite a strong EP. The song’s very uptempo and carries along with a steady beat and infectious rhythm. It would make a very cool live song.
Mystery is a song that some people might need some time to get used to, with its insanely cool indie sound and mysterious vibe. However, that’s the part that immediately intrigued me. And as it leads into the more melodic chorus, the song comes to full bloom. I like the raw edge to it as well as the changing rhythm throughout the song and the way this thing is such an organic and interesting whole.
The EP ends with Ain’t That Special which was also the closer on their previous album. It was a splendid way to end that album, and it still is a splendid closing track. The acoustic track just gives you that sense of close connection. And the raw but excellent harmonizing vocals are just a thing of beauty. At some points it reminds me of early Beatles a little bit. Might take a little imagination, but I can hear it.
“Stay Awake” is an excellent follow-up to “The Blinding Lights Above” and Dynamite Walls is a band that is very close to a break through. The music is commercially attractive (especially That Girl and Kiss & Ride) and it has a cool and somewhat original groove to it, that could really speak to people. With the right kind of marketing and promotion I feel there’s a very bright future for this band. I know I will be keeping an eye out for what will happen with Dynamite Walls. And so should you!
The EP starts out with the uptempo That Girl (Out of Control) which is a nice pointy pop/rock song that would make a good radio single. It’s fun to listen to and to sing along to. (or shout along to if you’re not such a good singer, haha). After that we hear the title track Stay Awake which took me a little longer to really get used to. I like the cool indie vibe to this song. It kind of feels like the song is pushing itself along, which is not a bad thing. It gives the song kind of a special signature sound that grows on you if you take the time to sit down and listen to this. A true album track.
Obvious radio single Kiss & Ride is up next. It was on the previous album also, but sounds even better this time. The chorus is amazing, as it just takes you along. It’s like The Fray mixed with a little Jimmy Eat World and then topped off in the Dynamite Walls specialty. I really enjoy this song. Blood On My Hands is probably my least favorite track on this EP, yet I still am really feeling it. So that’s a sign this is quite a strong EP. The song’s very uptempo and carries along with a steady beat and infectious rhythm. It would make a very cool live song.
Mystery is a song that some people might need some time to get used to, with its insanely cool indie sound and mysterious vibe. However, that’s the part that immediately intrigued me. And as it leads into the more melodic chorus, the song comes to full bloom. I like the raw edge to it as well as the changing rhythm throughout the song and the way this thing is such an organic and interesting whole.
The EP ends with Ain’t That Special which was also the closer on their previous album. It was a splendid way to end that album, and it still is a splendid closing track. The acoustic track just gives you that sense of close connection. And the raw but excellent harmonizing vocals are just a thing of beauty. At some points it reminds me of early Beatles a little bit. Might take a little imagination, but I can hear it.
“Stay Awake” is an excellent follow-up to “The Blinding Lights Above” and Dynamite Walls is a band that is very close to a break through. The music is commercially attractive (especially That Girl and Kiss & Ride) and it has a cool and somewhat original groove to it, that could really speak to people. With the right kind of marketing and promotion I feel there’s a very bright future for this band. I know I will be keeping an eye out for what will happen with Dynamite Walls. And so should you!