Panic Trigger

Wind Me Up, Throw Me Down.......Thrilled can only begin to describe the elation Dr2 felt as soon as we caught wind of the new upcoming album from one of Detroit's number one party bands, the recently renamed Panic Trigger (formerly known as Soul Circus). For years now, we have always counted on the guys for some in-your-face, straight ahead, Detroit style rock-n-roll and this new disc, Wind Me Up, serves up a plate full that will satisfy the heartiest local music appetites around, namely ours!
What we found on the disc were the obvious tracks that have that full-on assault of the senses like the explosive, and hook-heavy, Waiting For The Boom, or even the guitar-driven insanity of Half Past Dead that we have become to expect from Panic Trigger. Maybe the best example of this is the last track, Wind Me Up, an exceptionally radio friendly tune complete with a hook and rhythm, that when combined in their live show with Kevin Kanka's (vox) delivery, make it a crowd-igniter every time!



Beyond these Panic Trigger staples, our biggest applause goes to the slower, more melodic tracks, the kind that we frankly didn't expect to find the boys had laid down during their month's long sessions in the Panic Room working with Bob Phillips, as well as Chuck Alkazian over at Pearl Sound Studios. We, as much as anyone, love to hear Tommy Furbacher wail on the axe like very few can, he is amazing, and along with the bottom end boys, Kenny(drums) and Jonny(Bass) definitely deliver the thump. But, the more melodic style that is exhibited on three of the songs really shows what might be a new direction for the band. With tunes like Shangri-La we are still treated to some great instrumentals, but now we begin to hear more of Kevin's vocal chops, showing great range and emotional character within his voice. This is very evident with the gut wrenching track, Maybe Tomorrow, (an ode to the band's recently passed, dear friend, Munkay) where PT showcases a very marketable sound with that "crossover" appeal that we hear talked about so much lately. In this regard, we at DR2, have crowned the haunting and well produced, Echoes Of You as our favorite track from this collection. It stands out as the strongest example, we believe, of what Panic Trigger can do, and that is deliver well-written, performed and produced music.



This sophomore effort from Panic Trigger shows a new level of maturity and skill that, at the same time, manages to rock. Kevin, Kenny, Tommy, and Jonny have achieved a new, familiar, yet different sound, which still keeps their identity as "Detroit's Best Party Band" intact but rebrands them as something much more than that. This 7-track EP has made them, dare we say it, marketable. That may be met with catcalls from the "Artists" that read this, but we believe more local bands have to realize that if your product, your music, is not marketable, you will not be successful. Take Panic Trigger's recent 3rd place finish up in Traverse City during the huge, Michigan wide contest called, "Rock Your Way to the Top", beating out dozens of bands across the state with these new songs. We think that Panic Trigger has done something remarkable here in that they have produced a product that a lot of people are going to like and yet they've found a way to still maintain their reputation as a top notch rock band. A definite "Must Have" addition to any local music collection!



So, come on out this Saturday and get your own copy of "Wind Me Up" as Panic Trigger blows the roof off the Dawghouse in Clinton Township for their CD Release party, tell‘em Dr2 sent ya!! DetroitRockReview.com - The Only Place for Local Music News & Reviews.
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