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What do you call a band who seems equally influenced by complex pop-rock as they are by long, experimental prog-rock songs? Well, I don’t know if “prog-pop” exists as a sub-genre, but one outfit that is currently attempting to balance these two loves is Human Bodies, a fairly new Toronto-based six-piece.
As I listened to this EP, I was a little confused about where the band is trying to position itself. On the one hand, this EP features five songs and is roughly 28 minutes long. This translates to several long songs (in fact three are over six minutes long), and these are filled with long instrumental solos and a barrage of instruments. But on the other hand, two songs are about four minutes long and feature some great pop aesthetics.
Whether or not Human Bodies decide to commit to one vein or another, Continue is an interesting halfway point, so to speak. Opener “Jeng” is an explosion of sound- distorted guitar, synthesizers, horns, and eventually vocals as it hits the five-minute mark. This experimental tune is contrasted by “Pull Yourself Together,” arguably one the EP’s strongest tracks. It reminded me quite a bit of Toronto band Hands & Teeth, using multiple vocal lines and some kickass harmonies. One might not even realize these two songs come from the same band.
At seven minutes, “Slow Wave” indeed starts a little slowly. Around two minutes in, vocalist Kate Di Battista puts in some vocals before the song goes back to its experimental course. This is followed by “Dogwood,” another tight pop song that shows some experimental touches at the end as the music begins to get grainy and fades.
Finally there’s “Credits,” a song that is the best indication of what this band can do. It’s a longer song, but it manages to keep in both the band’s obvious fondness for jamming with the band’s command of multiple vocal lines and majestic musicianship. It’s a dreamy and breezy number that ends Continue on an extremely high note.
Categorizing Continue is impossible at this point in time, but it’s really only the first step for Human Bodies. As they continue to explore their sound they’ll no doubt figure out more and more about what they want to do. Decide for yourself what Continue means to you by streaming or purchasing the EP from Bandcamp.
Top Track: “Credits”
Rating: Strong Hoot (Good) - Michael Thomas @ Grayowlpoint.com
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Based out of Toronto, Human Bodies is a collective of multi-instrumentalist rockers who deliver a balance of expansive sound, deep harmonies and melodic hooks. With members originating from all ends of the country, Human Bodies amalgamate their favorite sounds from pop, ambient and progressive music to create an emotive and expressive wall of sound. For this 5-piece, making music involves spending time together experimenting and jamming until pieces evolve and grow. Their first EP, titled Continue, was released in August of 2012 and contained an eclectic mix of progressive and experimental rock songs with sprinklings of pop hooks and catchy horn lines. Human Bodies never fears trying something new and unusual and continually strives to produce big and emotion-evoking tracks. Over the last 2 years, Human Bodies has played a wide variety of venues in Toronto, built up a solid fan base and have incorporated visual effects into their live show, resulting in an ever-changing and exciting live experience.
"Dynamic, rhythmically driven indie rock, collective spirit, feel-good energy, aided by an uplifting horn section. A band that achieves a fine balance between musical chops and undeniable charm. "
-Lonely Vagabond
"don't be fooled by their looks and charm, these punks deliver face melting rock/indie/shoegaze to heart breaking melodies"
-Eytan Tobin (Elektrotank, the Cautioneers)
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