Courtesy: Lava/Republic Records
Neo-classic rock band South of Eden (formerly Black Coffee) will release its first major label studio recording Friday. The band is scheduled to release its new four-song EP The Talk through Lava/Republic Records. The 16-minute record is the band’s first new music since it released its 2018 album Take One under its former moniker. That nine-song album was the band’s debut (and only) album under the name, but was an impressive offering from the group. Now two years later the band has found success yet again with its debut EP. That success is thanks to the record’s musical and lyrical content together, as is evidenced right from the EP’s outset in its title track. It will be addressed shortly. ‘Morning Brew’ is another way in which the EP shows its strength. It will be addressed a little later. The EP’s closer, which is also its lead singles, is one more example of how this record’s musical and lyrical content comes together to make it such an impressive new effort from the band. When it is considered with the other two songs noted here and the EP’s one other song, ‘Solo,’ the whole of the EP becomes a work that will definitely leave listeners talking about South of Eden.
South of Eden’s sophomore studio recording and debut EP The Talk is a successful new offering from the up-and-coming neo-classic rock band. It is a work that will appeal to rock and roll purists and rock fans in general. That is thanks to the record’s combined musical and lyrical content. The EP’s opener/title track is just one of the songs that serves to support the noted statements. The song’s musical arrangement wastes no time grabbing listeners in its opening bars with its up-tempo riff. That riff gives way to a more reserved nature in the song’s lead verse. That reserved approach gives way to the noted high energy chorus. The back and forth of that reserved and more up-tempo sounds ensures listeners’ engagement and entertainment from beginning to end of the nearly four-minute song. What is really interesting to note here is that the classic rock influences of AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses, it also lends itself to comparisons to works from Buckcherry and Alter Bridge. In other words, the classic rock influences are infused alongside the modern guitar rock influences. The end result is an arrangement that is a strong start for the album and just one example of why the EP’s musical content is so strong. The lyrical accompaniment to that musical content adds to the song’s appeal.
Not having a lyrics sheet to reference, the song’s lyrical content is difficult to decipher. However, from what can be deciphered sans said sheet, it can be inferred (hopefully correctly) that this song is a commentary of sorts about how people say one thing but do something opposite; those people who feed lies to themselves and others. This is supposed as front man Ehab Omran sings in the song’s chorus about someone who is seemingly rejecting the help that others offer. He goes so far as to sing in the chorus, “You say you’re trying/But who can tell/When you talk, talk, talk?” There is even mention in the song’s second verse of “helpful hands/reaching in/everyone tries/But you don’t give in” before he asks again, “What do you want?” The song’s lead verse adds to the discussion as it addresses someone who in a different situation who doesn’t seem to know what he or she wants. Again, this interpretation is made wholly sans lyrics to reference. Hopefully it is somewhere in the proverbial ballpark. Right or wrong, it can at least be agreed that there is a certain commentary going on here. That in itself is sure to engage listeners while the song’s musical arrangement will entertain them. To that end, it makes for a strong start for the EP. It is just one of the songs that shows the EP’s strength. ‘Morning Brew,’ the EP’s third song is one more example of why audiences will enjoy the record.
‘Morning Brew’ is much more reserved in comparison to ‘The Talk’ and to the EP’s other two songs in terms of its musical arrangement. This arrangement is a bluesy, subdued composition that lends itself to comparisons works from the likes of maybe Johnny Lang with its slick guitar riffs. That reserved nature in this almost blues ballad type composition serves to help translate the emotion in the song’s lyrical theme.
The lyrical content at the center of ‘Morning Brew’ comes across as an introspective statement. It seems to come from the mind of someone who is going through a difficult time, emotionally speaking. This is inferred as Omran sings in the song’s lead verse, “Where do you go/When your days are numbered/You’re feeling lonely/Down by the seashore/When your days are bright/Lights are heavy/Where would you go/If I can’t see straight/And my feet stay steady/Walk out the door/All we do/Our world is not ready/Ain’t that the way it goes/When you’re all alone.” He continues in the song’s second verse, “What would they say/If they tell you no/But you do it anyway/Life’s all a big game/Where the people lose/When the evil stands to gain/Looking down the aisle of a train/People’s eyes/All I see is pain/newspapers and crosswords say we’re all lookin’ down the barrel of a gun.” Again, there is a lot of contemplation here about one’s own situation and the world. When this deep thought is coupled with the song’s so subtle that it’s heavy arrangement, the result is a deeply moving work that stands strong on its own merits. It is just one more example of what makes the EP stand out. The EPs closer and lead single ‘Dancing With Fire’ is yet another key addition to the record.
The musical arrangement at the heart of ‘Dancing With Fire’ is as fiery as the title implies. Drummer Tommy McCullough and guitarist Justin Young lead the way this time out. Omran and bassist Nick Frantianne add their own touch to the arrangement, fleshing it out even more and making it just as strong a finale for the EP as its opener was a start. Fans of bands, such as Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses, and Poison will appreciate this arrangement. It’s just one part of what makes this song shine. The song’s lyrical content adds to its impact.
This is probably the easiest song to understand of the EP’s four tracks in terms of its lyrical content. It clearly focuses on a person who is head over heels in love with another person. This is made relatively clear early on as Omran sings in the song’s lead verse, “Well you’re pushin’ left/Pullin’ right/I can’t feel my hands tonight/Now, baby/yeah, you tell me when/tell me who/Stuck between a hard place and you/Sweet lady/You’ve been talking for so long/Putting up so strong/Forget about it/Got me feeling so wrong/Trapped in wire/’Cause I’ve been dancing with fire/Those flames keep burning up brighter/You’re walking past desire/But I can’t keep from loving you.” This is pretty clear in its message. This is someone who is crazy for that other person. Any doubt is eliminated in the song’s second verse, which finds Omran singing, “Here we go/Go again/Ultimatums that never end/I’m hazy/With your smiling lips and your whispering tongue/Getting by/Saying you’re so young and lazy.” Again, here audiences get someone whose mind is obsessed with that other person. This readily accessible lyrical theme couples with the song’s equally accessible musical arrangement to make the song in whole the EP’s best song. When it is considered with the other two songs noted here and the EP’s one remaining song, ‘Solo,’ the whole of the EP becomes a work that rock and roll purists everywhere will appreciate and a record that deserves its own consideration for a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new EPs.
South of Eden’s second studio recording and debut EP The Talk is a positive new offering from the neo-classic rock band that purists of the genre will certainly appreciate. That is due to its musical arrangements and lyrical content alike. All three of the songs discussed here support that statement. The EP’s one remaining song not addressed here supports that statement, too. All things considered, the EP’s content overall makes it a record that will leave audiences talking. Yes, that awful pun was intended. It is scheduled for release Friday through Lava/Republic Records.
More information on South of Eden’s new EP is available along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
Website: http://southofedenband.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/southofedenmusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/southofedenband
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