Review / Multiple Authors
Narrows
New Distances

Yes, this is finally out and not a moment too soon! The first Narrows full-length, New Distances, is indeed finally available for the shattering of our ear drums. And it must be said that it does come amidst a slew of hype and anticipation (and no small amount on my own part to be brutally honest). Coming off their first 7", the Narrows boys did not hurt their respective reputations in anyway, garnered with years in such bands as Unbroken, Botch, These Arms Are Snakes, and tons more. But instead the band builds off of that teaser of a three-song EP and deliver the goods with New Distances and its nine tracks of blistering music.

The shocking aspect about "Chambered" is how much it sounds like Botch and how it could fit as a bonus track on We Are the Romans (with some added background vocals that would even expand on the Botch sound). It is actually rather mind blowing with Verellen in top form with his distinctive vocal style and the guitars that will have you double taking the album info again to make sure this is Narrows. The driving bass and lead guitar of "Sea Witch" is evidence of the group expanding their sound and "speaking" with more of their "own voice" while "I Give You Six Months" exemplifies Narrows as a slick track that really is the sum of its parts (check out the "lounge" feel of the song's fade out). "Changing Clothes" begins fairly pedestrian but eventually begins to show off some different sounds; the bridge with its multiple vocal attack, angular rhythm, and guitar textures make the song completely worth hearing. I dig the subtle melodic guitar in "Newly Restored," which otherwise sounds like Botch on Quaaludes; it is definitely a well put together track that makes an impression.

I really am torn about New Distances because there are times when I derive genuine enjoyment out of listening to it, and there are indeed several high points ("Newly Restored," "Chambered," "I Give You Six Months") that truly make New Distances an excellent record that contains quite a bit of good songwriting. Then there are moments where the album feels schizophrenic (with mild impressions that the band was unsure of the style of music they were going for while writing) and lacking a real cohesiveness to tie the compositions together, and maybe schizophrenia is the wrong word. But there are moments while listening to the album that I really want Narrows to let loose and just completely batter me, and the moments when that occurs are too few (for what I was hoping for anyway). Possibly, how one views Narrows boils down to that individual's expectations, whether that is fair or not is not the topic here because it may be completely inescapable. For my part, there are no conscious expectations for Narrows to sound like the second coming of Botch, nor the second coming of Unbroken; but rather my hopes are that these music veterans make great music as they have in the past. New Distances succeeds in some respects while in others I think it is lacking (two mostly instrumentals in nine tracks partially leaves me feeling cheated in some way). Narrows still turn in a good record (with only minor detractions

what's the deal with the song cutoffs Dave and Rob? what's the deal?) that if people can get over the members' other and former bands, they will find an album worth being excited over rather than leaving them in disappointment.

Narrows return to the musical fold with their debut full-length and follow-up to last year's very impressive self-titled EP. Like many others, when news of this project was first announced, I was beyond excited and anticipated great things. Who wouldn't be when members of Botch, Unbroken, Some Girls, and These Arms are Snakes get together? Fools. That's who! The band's first offering - a three-song EP - did not disappoint. It was just enough to wet the appetite, but also leave you craving more. New Distances satisfies that hunger.

New Distances opens in tip-top form with "Chambered." At just over two-minutes, the rumbling bass of Rob Moran and steady drumming of Sam Stothers provides a concrete backbone for the song. Meanwhile, Ryan Frederiksen and Jodie Cox attempt to out-duel each other on the axes; the angular riffs and constant tempo changes are mind-melting as one listens. Throw in Dave Verellen's coarse-throated delivery and you have an unstoppable juggernaut.

Narrows frequent a noisy hardcore sound popularized by groups like Coalesce, Deadguy, and of course Botch throughout New Distances, but there is more to it than just that. "A Restoration Effort" opens with a mild coolness of post-rock inspired guitars. The song slightly builds its pace and adds in fluid drum parts and other noodling effects. This flows directly into "I Give You Six Months," which is a two-faced affair with the first half a destructive math-metal approach while the second half rounds out with a segue of chilled-out indie rock.

The band experiments with a more traditional hardcore approach of a few songs as well. "Sea Witch" is a gritty hardcore punk number with haunting guitar passages thrown in between the bruising riff affairs. "Gypsy Kids" is a punk-based hardcore number. It's got a fast beat and matched with ferocity unlike the rest of the record. There's a little bit of a Tragedy vibe, but with more dexterity in the guitars. "Newly Restored" is as close to a Botch song as we're going to get at this point not that I was looking for one, but its an easy comparison to make. The guitar riffs boast a menacing angularity with a much slower pace. You really feel them dig in on this song. The rhythm picks up for the latter half of the song bringing to mind the current post-rock meets metal vibe of groups like Pelican.

"The Fourragere" echoes the slower style heard earlier on the record with its repetitive structure and influence from artists like Neurosis and Swans. Closer "Marquis Lights" is an instrumental that is again a bit slower and less chaotic than most of the moments on the record.

Narrows continue to develop their sound as the write together. This is no second rate Botch, Unbroken, or These Arms are Snakes, which is a good thing. With more time together these musicians will continue to write more defined music. My only hope is that the guys in Narrows continue to churn out music at a good clip so we don't have to wait until 2010 for new tunes.