The State School

The State School - SloFastSlo

The State School’s “SloFastSlo” does indie rock just right. With a style reminiscent of fellow Austinites Spoon, they hit the perfect balance between the bombastic and beautiful. Brandon Aghamalian’s vocals serve as the heart of the album showing tremendous energy. His expressive articulate lyrics lead the way, with a poetic sensibility embedded within. Driving the songs forward is the tight rhythm section anchoring the songs, courtesy of Dan Barrett on drums and Brant Couch on bass. Providing endless kaleidoscopic color is the duo of Dan Connolly and Brandon Drake on guitar.

Shimmering guitar opens up the album on “She Said”. Reminiscent of the Pixies with its mixture of giddiness and aggression it is one of the album highlights. With a languid rhythm “What Do You Want from Me” goes for a dreamier spacious sound. Continuing down the introspective path “Away from Me” goes for tenderness as Brandon Aghamalian sings of the dissolution of a relationship. By far the highlight of the album is the sly groove of “I Don’t Mind” which sounds like a long-lost late 80s track, with the particularly smooth bass work. Absolutely going full-on is the hyperactive “Our Country” which focuses on the spin used by politicians. Aptly named “The Anger” is easily the most aggressive track on the whole album burning through its run time. Bringing things to a close is the title track whose vocal delivery is particularly fine, as is the relentless raging rhythm.


Smart and stylish, the State School’s “SloFastSlo” is one of those ideal indie rock albums, one that runs the emotional gamut from the introspective to the infuriated. - Beach Sloth

The State School - SLOFASTSLO
The State School is a driven rock and roll band hailing from Austin, Texas. Their sound blurs the lines between genres as diverse as indie-pop and punk, with a freshness and personality that turn the simplicity of their songs into a powerful weapon. Their latest album, SLOFASTSLO opens up with mid-tempo number “She Said”, that makes me think of what would happen if late-hour Kings of Leon would jam with The Foo Fighters: lots of energy, but also incredible melodies and romantic lyrics.

Following track “What Do You Want From me?” is a powerful arena rock anthem with larger-than-life choruses and powerful hooks, followed by “Away from me”, a powerful and emotional rock ballad that blinks an eye to the classics of alternative rock. The middle chunk of the album consists of songs such as “I Don’t Mind”, “Lie To Me” and “Bethany”. These tracks showcase the band’s incredible diversity, from the former’s explosive blues-laced guitar riffing to the latter’s touching lyrics and bright acoustic guitar arpeggios.

“Save Us All” opens up with a heavy and dense drum fill and with some beautiful guitar lines that flirt with the country rock genre. The vibes turn retro with “Our Country”, a song that flirts with vintage influences, echoing some of the best moments of artists such as The Rolling Stones or The Beatles, just to mention a few.

The Anger, as the title might imply, is definitely the track’s most upbeat and raw song: the energy is a callback to garage rock and the attitude is absolutely in-your-face, a great way to introduce the title track, a song that sounds nothing short of epic with its monumental lead guitar works and massive riffs. This song brings the rock club to the stadium and channels most of the sound of the record in a unique way.

Find out more and listen:
http://thestateschool.com - The Band Camp Diaries

THE STATE SCHOOL: “SLOFASTSLO” MAY LEAD TO UNEXPECTED ROAD TRIPS!
April 7, 2016

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Brandon Aghamalian (Vocals), Dan Connolly (Guitar), Brandon Drake (Guitar), Brant Couch (Bass) and Dan Barrett (Drums) make up the Austin, TX rock band, The State School, who has released its album, entitled, “SLOFASTSLO”. The State School is one of the greatest, lesser known rock n’ roll bands flying around under the radar. Their music is infectious. It is as varied as the members which comprise this Texas quintet.
The State School
The State School
This album may lead to unexpected road trips. From the opening track, “She Said”, this album grabs you and won’t let go. Forget going to the corner store and listening to just one song on the way. Instead you’ll end up trying to explain to your significant other how you ended up headed for a sleepy Georgia town or on a beeline for the Rockies. “SLOFASTSLO” is simply that good. By the time the third track, “I Don’t Mind” pours out of your speakers, you are hooked.
The album is tight from beginning to end. Roaring, complex, Toto-styled jams like “Away From Me” and “Lie To Me”, lead to smooth Americana tinged melodies such as “Bethany” and “Save Us All”, and back to hair raising rock and roll heard on “The Anger”. While the rest of the world cheeses their way through the latest awful Corporate Rock and Nu-Metal offerings, do yourself a favor: Grab a copy of “SLOFASTSLO” and hit the road. The State School displays that certain something most of today’s music lacks…talent.
It’s my sincere belief that 5 stars will significantly underestimate the power and brilliance of the latest offering by this powerhouse band. The range of songs presented on this album gives even the novice rock n’ roll listener a serious dose of the soul filled musical medicine these gentlemen dose passionate fans with. The State School has indeed created a feast for musical ears. Their tracks begin innocently enough and then build into tightly-knit, guitar-led rock n’ roll explosions that will reinvigorate the scene.
The State School
The State School
The State School plays as an ensemble, melding their individual sounds into a real group sound. I would imagine that they are at their best in a live setting. However this record succeeds in capturing all the elements of this band into a harmonious whole. The State School is strong in so many ways. The guitar work really stands out, as does the drums and bass, taking the songs in unexpected directions and will leave you wanting to hear more. The arrangements and the vocals are very strong too, encapsulating the transcendent expansion of each melody. This excellent instrumental and vocal combination will appeal to many different tastes and ages.
The State School is at the top of their game, exploring unusual time signatures and interesting chord progressions. Their music is full of energy and there is not a dull moment on the entire record. I’m not sure how long this band has been around, but judging by the surefootedness of their musicianship and the lyrical maturity in their songs – I would say forever!
OFFICIAL LINKS: WEBSITE - Video Music Stars

Reviews The State School: “SLOFASTSLO” – a feast for rock n’ roll ears! BY JEENA JOHNSON ON APRIL 7, 2016 NO COMMENTS





Brandon Aghamalian (Vocals), Dan Connolly (Guitar), Brandon Drake (Guitar), Brant Couch (Bass) and Dan Barrett (Drums) make up the Austin, TX rock band, The State School, who has released its album, entitled, “SLOFASTSLO”. The State School is one of the greatest, lesser known rock n’ roll bands flying around under the radar. Their music is infectious. It is as varied as the members which comprise this Texas quintet.

The State School
The State School
This album may lead to unexpected road trips. From the opening track, “She Said”, this album grabs you and won’t let go. Forget going to the corner store and listening to just one song on the way. Instead you’ll end up trying to explain to your significant other how you ended up headed for a sleepy Georgia town or on a beeline for the Rockies. “SLOFASTSLO” is simply that good. By the time the third track, “I Don’t Mind” pours out of your speakers, you are hooked.

The album is tight from beginning to end. Roaring, complex, Toto-styled jams like “Away From Me” and “Lie To Me”, lead to smooth Americana tinged melodies such as “Bethany” and “Save Us All”, and back to hair raising rock and roll heard on “The Anger”. While the rest of the world cheeses their way through the latest awful Corporate Rock and Nu-Metal offerings, do yourself a favor: Grab a copy of “SLOFASTSLO” and hit the road. The State School displays that certain something most of today’s music lacks…talent.

It’s my sincere belief that 5 stars will significantly underestimate the power and brilliance of the latest offering by this powerhouse band. The range of songs presented on this album gives even the novice rock n’ roll listener a serious dose of the soul filled musical medicine these gentlemen dose passionate fans with. The State School has indeed created a feast for musical ears. Their tracks begin innocently enough and then build into tightly-knit, guitar-led rock n’ roll explosions that will reinvigorate the scene.

The State School
The State School
The State School plays as an ensemble, melding their individual sounds into a real group sound. I would imagine that they are at their best in a live setting. However this record succeeds in capturing all the elements of this band into a harmonious whole. The State School is strong in so many ways. The guitar work really stands out, as does the drums and bass, taking the songs in unexpected directions and will leave you wanting to hear more. The arrangements and the vocals are very strong too, encapsulating the transcendent expansion of each melody. This excellent instrumental and vocal combination will appeal to many different tastes and ages.

The State School is at the top of their game, exploring unusual time signatures and interesting chord progressions. Their music is full of energy and there is not a dull moment on the entire record. I’m not sure how long this band has been around, but judging by the surefootedness of their musicianship and the lyrical maturity in their songs – I would say forever!

OFFICIAL LINKS: WEBSITE - SoundLooks