Artist: Days Away
Album: Ear Candy for the Headphone Trippers
Comments: The Philly born and bread boys of Days Away thought they had hit it big after their debut album Mapping an Invisible World was released by Fueled By Ramen in 2005. While the album was well received, landing them spots on tour with such headliners as Circa Survive and the Rx Bandits, the band was dropped by the label in late 2006. It is unknown who broke up with whom, but something tells me that Fueled By Ramen didn’t see the “star quality” they wanted in Days Away. After all, they are used to pumping out mega-star pop acts like Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, Gym Class Heroes, and Paramore like it’s nothing. Either way, it didn’t take long for Days Away to get back in the scene.
The band returns to their roots with Ear Candy for the Headphone Trippers, an EP that delivers to their fans the promise it makes in the title. Unsigned for now, the band self-released this 5 song mini-journey that shines on the bands strengths and is a surprisingly delightful improvement from the impressive Invisible World.
Their up-beat style can be described one of many ways, whether is prog-punk, experimental-pop, or stoner-indie. Call it what you will, this style has been well established in the almost 10 years the band has been together, and it is apparent throughout the EP. The tight drums, heavy yet subtle guitar and psychedelic melodies blend together in true Days Away fashion. As one of the more vocally talented men in the business, Keith Goodwin doesn’t disappoint. His lyrics are simple and easy to relate to, which can be often overlooked in today’s music.
With fun and catchy singles like “Wish” and “Talk it Over” mixed in with the sweet, dramatic ballad “I’m Sorry I Told You All of My Problems” along with the stellar grooves of “Being Apart of You” and “I’ll Be Lost”, Days Away captured a pretty nice formula for an enjoyable EP.
Ear Candy should do more than enough to hold off anxious fans until their anticipated second album is released in near future. It will be their first album without their old record label, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the band couldn’t be happier about that.
Rating: 8 out of 10
-by Nick DeLorenzo
