ABACU5

I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I picked up A Long Way To Begin. I certainly wasn’t expecting what I got, though! Abacu5 bridge the gaps between country, hard rock, and ’80s flair. Their songs have a driving backbone that’s exciting and promise surprises beyond every horizon. There’s something truly epic about the sound Abacu5 have developed, and A Long Way To Begin is exemplary of the band’s talent and style.

There’s a lot of emotion in songs like “Dark Rain” as Randy White’s voice floats between thick vocal choruses and screaming guitar lines. Abacu5 know how to build just the right amount, and their quick releases are perfect counterpoint to the heavy churning of guitar chords and bass kicks. Each song tells a new story, sung out through rays of melody, over simple yet potent drumbeats and the warm fuzz of guitar and bass.

The guitar solos on A Long Way To Begin are full of personality and really are the icing on top of the cake — a cake baked entirely from rock and groove. The solo in “Tightrope” made it the highlight of the album, reminding me as much of Led Zeppelin as of Minus the Bear. This is a diverse collection of songs, especially considering that they run 55 minutes long. The album balancing guitar riffing, thick vocal tracks and just enough head-banging groove to satisfy. The result is an appropriate amount of instrumental sections and great lyrical melodies in-between.

When I first read over the song titles on A Long Way To Begin, I thought they all seemed generic. I swear that I’ve seen other bands with songs named “Pretty Lady” and “Love of My Life,” but when I noticed that the latter had a running time of exactly 4 minutes and 20 seconds, I began suspecting a deeper motive behind how Abacu5 names their tracks. Regardless, their music is strong enough to back up whatever they want to call it, and that’s what matters.

I feel like I’m listening to a rock opera when I play Abacu5 except that I can take the music seriously. The album is a journey, a novel—complete with love story, quick-paced action and all. The band is based out of Dallas, Texas, so you’ll have to keep your eyes open for local dates, but A Long Way To Begin will satisfy me until then. –Alex Blackburn - Slugmag

Since the fall of the ones all mighty record labels, the music business has become a true wild, wild west of creativity. The once skewed playing field has been levelled to such a degree that now anyone has a fighting chance to make an impact. Case and point can be found with these newcomers from Texas, ABACU5, who show their first hand with ‘A Long Way To Begin.’
Borrowing from the notion that more is…well…more, their debut is a substantial effort. Consisting of 14 tracks and clocking in at 55 minutes, this is not so much an essay as it is a dissertation. Delivering such a pithy album can prove to be a dubious choices since it either flourishes in its breadth or suffers from too much information. Thankfully, ABACU5 fire out of the starting block with a solid collection of songs, none of which should have found the cutting room floor. The single ‘Darker Shade Of Gray’ is a groovy rocker that makes for a good choice. Those who take interest in ABACU5 will find it to be an accurate, representation of the bands overall raison d’être.
Ignorable is the band’s accessibility. Friendly in every way, the music will easily resonate with fans of Pop, Progressive and everything in between. Fans of throwback bands like Rival Sons, Kyng and Black Stone Cherry will find much to enjoy. They offer unique sound that is as rooted in Classic Rock as it is in the polished, modern Melodic Rock sparkle, bringing big melody, and even bigger harmonies and a great production. ABACU5 balances softness and aggression with classy restaurant. ‘Angles’ is an example of their ability to weave have a guitars with layers of Queen-like vocal harmonies, all the while retaining a consistent artistic vision and signature sound. ‘Wonder’ is the song that many a band wishes they had pan with my magnificent course that is as lyrically inspiring as it is emotionally charged.
The way in which they craft of their brand of Power Pop is infectious and something me that few have achieved in my recent memory. ABACU5 are deserving of these accolades such is there ability to make such lush, melodic music that is fit for both the intellectual and masses alike. They are one band with which to take note, and hopefully, their subsequent albums can build on one already has a great start.
Brent Rusche - FIREWORKS Rock & Metal