If raw and emotionally charged indie-rock combined with samples from under the radar TV shows is your vibe then you’ll love Free Throw’s ‘Lavender Town’ EP.
This four track, the follow up to their 2012 demo, is initially overshadowed by the heavy use of clips from ‘Undeclared’, a short lived show staring Jason Segal, Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel a decade ago. However the emotional quotes as Segal’s character recalls his recent break up ends up complimenting the music well. Opener ‘Slam with the best or jam like the rest’ is the most driven track on the EP and has an excellent dual vocal bridge into outro. But it’s then the intricate guitar melodies and soaring vocals of ‘Now Kith’ that portrays the feelings of unrequited love perfectly. It’s passionate, it’s instinctive and it’s gut wrenching at times. You then have the self pity from title track ‘Lavender Town’ and the reflective ‘Pennsylvania Dutch’.
The lack of polish and the imperfections in production really build the character here too. The tracks have heart and the lyrics are well thought out and sparingly used to good effect. These four tracks work well together and have certainly left me with an appetite for a full length in 2014.
Free Throw aren’t your typical band out of Nashville, where country music sits at the top table, and it’s refreshing to hear.
TOM BECK