Against the Clocks: “47872” – looks to the future and connects with the past

Against the Clocks is a 5 piece band from a small Indiana town called Rockville. The band consists of Logan Lake – (Vocals / Guitar / Piano), Jon Hook – (Drums / Vocals), Brock Crooks – (Guitar / Vocals), Landry Moore – (Vocals / Piano / Bass) and Jordan Lake – Guitar.

A few months ago the band released their 4-track Ep entitled “47872”. First off, the musicality of the songs on this EP is absolutely incredible. Gorgeous melodies and impeccable craftsmanship make up every song. I mean every song has a melody that is immediately infectious and catchy, but also complex enough to keep you engaged no matter how many times you listen to them. I discover brilliant melodic flourishes each time I listen to “47872”, and I can’t help but marvel at the subtlety and intelligence of the songwriting on display here.

Though the band cite Alt-J, Arctic Monkeys, Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service, among the groups they like, it is clear that they draw their major music influences from another era, which lies slap-bang in-between the 70’s and 90’s, when guitar-laden melodies ruled the mainstream roost. Oh there are plenty of keyboards here too, but it is mainly made up of pianos and the mythical Mellotron which comes from that same magical era – something far removed from the current synth aesthetics.

From the moment you hit the first track, “Not With You”, you know this is going to be a unique selection of songs sure to excite many and send shivers down numerous spines. There’s just something about Logan Lake’s husky, smoky voice that will melt hearts. But this is a band full of surprises, not least when you arrive to the second track, “Top Floor” and Landry Moore’s crystal-shattering vocals set in. Hardly have I heard a band – of any era – able to focus on two vocalists of such a high caliber. Logan and Landry have two distinctly different voices that together cover an entire spectrum of deliciously enticing octaves. Any rock band would die to have just one of these guys upfront – Against the Clocks has both!

Logan again takes the front seat on “Love’s Like”, leaving Landry to close the Ep with “Catch Me Now”. But in-between all of this brilliant vocal euphoria there is a band of extremely competent musicians who compose and perform deep, heartwarming songs – both lyrically and musically. Music like this makes you look forward to the future while still reconnecting to the past. It is a rock sound that brings generations together.

It’s difficult to exactly pin-point their sound, which is often the trademark of really good bands, even though a lot of influences do come to mind. Regardless of whether the sound of any song is upbeat or slow, guitar or piano-driven, there’s always an energy bubbling under that really hooks the ear. There was not a point on this Ep where it even crossed my mind to skip ahead to the next track.

Undeniably “47872” is on my best indie-rock album of the year shortlist. From beginning to end, this Ep captivated me; superb vocals, brilliant instrumentation, strong melodies, and heartfelt lyrics to back it all up. On each subsequent listen, Against the Clocks just seemed to get better and better!

OFFICIAL LINKS: WEBSITE – BANDCAMP – SOUNDCLOUD – FACEBOOK