Castevet - I Know What A Lion Is (2009)

This is some new shit for you to wrap yourself up in. Castevet is a new band from Chicago offering up a good mix of styles, all soaked in ultra melodic guitar lines and gruff yet strangely tuneful vocals.

Everytime this EP starts I think it is some other band. A post-rock band no less.. There is something so familiar about the swell of the guitar and bass that I always get thrown off guard when the second guitar starts a down stroked 2 bit piece that instantly reminds me that this is going to me a much more grounded affair. The down stroked guitar sets the rhythm for most of the song while the singer comes in with a hoarse sort of shout sing that reminds me of someone else but I can never think of who. The post-rockiness of the beginning isnt just a rouse either. The band demonstrates a knack for twinkly guitar interplay and beautiful melodic layering. Pieced in with the stop start dynamics of the song arpeggiated guitars twirl amongst each other while a well timed rhythm section really keeps every ones heads nodding.

The second song plays on that same melodic layering and exhibits some influences that might not be too far from the Kinsella family tree, but there is a bit more speed evident in this track. The vocals and good songwriting keep this from becoming the often ripped off midwest emo sound and instead displays a bit more power, maybe even something like the early Seam material (Seam was also from Chicago, hmmm) mixed with a more American Football-like prettiness.

The third song meshes what the first two songs offer and expands the template in every direction. It really shows that this band is going to have a lot to share with us in the short future. The mix of post-rock, emo and indie music is nothing new these days, but it takes a deft hand to tread this territory and come out smelling like roses. Castevet sound like they have been doing this for years and could even claim to have some say in the creation of some of these genres, but I am not sure who is in this band or what bands theyve been in before. All I know is I cant wait to hear more.

Castevet's Myspace