Music
Press
Producer: Clark Hohman and Renovaudio
Style: Alternative rock
Format: Ep
Website: www.renovaudio.com
Reviewed by: Cor Jan Kat
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Renovaudio is a new modern alternative rockgroup which is a collaboration of Blake Easter (guitar/leadvocals), Jake Rye (bass, backingvocals), Brandon Romine (drums) and Jake Pennington (guitar/backingvocals).
This is their first EP but that doesn't mean these guys are still wet behind the ears, no way! It's obvious that these guys know what they are doing and the result is a raw and passionate debut with thought-provoking lyrics. It's about their experiences in everyday life and they hope that others may find something that they can relate to and perhaps find comfort in.
All in all a very promising debut.
- Cor Jan Kat (Melodic.net)
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer
This band from Michigan, USA are fronted by singer/songwriter Blake Easter whose solo offering 'Between Us' received a favourable review elsewhere on this site. Here you have six songs that indicate that Renovaudio are beginning to do a nice line in moody atmospheric rock. The opening cut "Grounded" is quite naturally the catchiest thing here. Blake Easter has one of those big thick voices that bring to mind Creed or Mac Powell, which isn't necessarily a bad thing! Highlights include the intensity of "If I Could Run" which examines the soul stealing distractions of life. "This Is How" manages to create a mix of intensity and lighter moments whilst "Cold And Dark" brings things to a strong conclusion.
8 out of 10
- Crossrythms.com
By Jennifer Layton
This is one solid, intense, yet trippy and melodic rock and roll band. Renovaudio’s music is accessible enough to entertain small clubs and powerful enough to rock arenas. With a sound that alternates between dreamy psychedelic rock and a full-throttle guitar-raging tidal wave, along with vocals strong enough to drive the song when the music turns introspective and quiet, Renovaudio is a band ready for radio and soundtracks.
The production is solid, the band is tight, and I am impressed. I’m also wondering if a major label sent us one of their bands by mistake.
Jake Rye (bass) and Brandon Romine (drums) drive the heartbeat of each track, and they refuse to keep to one tempo for long. These guys shine on “The Way You Think of Me,” an urgent rhythm on the verses that mellows out on the chorus before flowing seamlessly back to the urgency. And when Jack Pennington’s guitar rages, look out. These guys can suddenly slam into a raging rock interlude without losing control of the song.
Through it all, Blake Easter has the strong, passionate voice needed to front this band. Easter has a particularly tough challenge on “Cold and Dark,” a psychedelic desert ballad in which the music stays uncharacteristically mellow, so the lead vocal has nothing to blend into or hide behind. Instead of fading out, the voice is mesmerizing, yearning, and impossible to ignore.
Each track is distinctive. “Shades of Grey” is a growling thunderstorm of a song. The more pop-flavored “This is How” has a driven, determined, steady feel, which is why the lyric “It takes so much more than this to break my skin” sounds particularly appropriate. But my favorite is “If I Could Run.” There is truly mystical energy in this track, fueled by blissful harmonies and a jumping, soaring delivery. The lyrics are an invitation to save one’s soul from materialism:
You think that happiness lies between your checkbook lines ...
Don’t look, something could take it all away
And try hard, there’s always so much more ...
The boys do approach the line of preachiness, but they never cross it, and the music is so majestic in its delivery that I’d have to forgive them anyway. Please, dear readers, buy many many copies of this EP so Renovaudio can afford to do a full-length CD next time, and I won’t have to settle for just six songs. I must have more.
- Indie-music.com
Discography
EP- Self Titled (6 songs)
Photos
Bio
Love songs for strangers -- those are the words best used to describe the passionate, introspective rock medleys that make up Renovaudios debut EP. Its twisting grooves and rhythms combined with addictive melodies and intuitive lyrics leave listeners captivated and wanting more. The Michigan based rock band, a collaboration of the talents of Jake Rye (bass), Blake Easter (lead vocals/guitar), Brandon Romine (drums), and Jake Pennington (guitar), share a common drive to inspire listeners and touch their hearts through their unique sound and reflective lyrics. The result is an album of personal struggle infused with love, faith and encouragement from a band that completely exposes its unclad talent to create a powerful and unique sound. Every song we write is treated as a gift for someone else, explains Rye. If we struggle with something or we are hurting, then someone else is too. If I can take that emotion or experience and write a song about what Im going through and how I deal with it, then maybe someone else can relate to that and find hope. Thats exactly what the members of Renovaudio have accomplished on their first self titled Independent release. The compilation of songs with names like Grounded and Cold and Dark offers listeners a peek at the solid, edgy grooves and inspiring versus to come as the band nears completion of its first EP together. The end product is a powerful combination of tunes filled with deep meaning and clever hooks that offer listeners a musical and intellectual reprieve from mainstream, pop culture music. Though the collaboration is new, the bands impact is lasting and Renovaudio is sure to leave finger prints on many souls as the band members continue their quest to spread hope through their honest, raw sound.
Links
