Trials Of Early Man may be a band in its infancy, having only played their first gig together at the end of 2014, but they have a wealth of experience to draw their inspiration from. Half-jokingly describing themselves as ‘Four old guys who used to make music in old bands in the old days’, their line-up includes former members of Circusact, Caretaker, Action & Action, The Correct Arc, and The Good Wife, and there are hints of each in début EP ‘Life Goals’.
‘Wiping Out The Cynics’ possesses the array of inventive guitar parts and varied time signatures that you would expect given the calibre of the guys involved. There’s enough individuality to the track that keeps it feeling fresh and steers it away from sounding like a collective rehash of previous efforts. ‘Pam Ewing Wakes Up From A Dream’ sounds over-familiar at first as it shares perhaps a bit too much in common with the opening track to really set it apart. However, the quick-fire guitar riff and driving drums inject some pace and help give it the sense of identity that it initially lacked.
Despite the often densely packed arrangements of the first two songs, at their core they remain enjoyable and accessible rock songs, as Trials Of Early Man explore their experimental side without sacrificing melody. And whilst they may have jettisoned the meandering structures and sometimes heavier approach of The Good Wife, the angular guitars are still present in ‘Nimshi’. Textured, rhythmic chords and basslines are scattered over rolling drums as Trials Of Early Man really hit their stride.
It’s a shame then that just as ‘Life Goals’ gets going it ends, but the three songs are a brilliant example of post-punk. It may be far from the most high profile release of the year, but if this is what happens when ‘Four old guys who used to make music in old bands in the old days’ get together, then long may it continue.
CHRIS HILSON