Courtesy: Pavement Entertainment
Underground rock outfit Silvertung released its new EP Out of the Box earlier this week. The Baltimore, Maryland-based quartet’s new record is a solid follow-up to its 2013 full-length studio recording Devil’s in the Details. Listening through the six songs that make up the body of this six-song record, it is safe to say that the record is one of 2016’s top new EPs and that Silvertung is one of the rock community’s best kept secrets.
Silvertung’s new record Out of the Box is one of 2016’s top new EPs. The band’s third record and first EP, it is also proof that the band is currently one of the rock community’s best kept secrets. One of the songs included in this record that serves this statement is the record’s new single ‘Never Too Late.’ This radio-ready song instantly conjures thoughts of Shinedown, and other acts of that ilk. That is evident in the way that the song builds from its gentle, acoustic opening bars to a full on hard rock anthem throughout the remainder of its four-minute run time. Guitarist Cody Red and front man Speed form the foundation of that arrangement with bassist Skoot and drummer Danno adding to it even more as the song progresses. The song’s musical arrangement is just one of the elements that makes the song such an important addition to OOTB. The song’s lyrical content is just as important to its presentation as its musical arrangement. That is because of the way in which it compliments the song’s musical arrangement. In regards to its lyrical content, the song comes across as an anthem of self-empowerment; one of those familiar anthems that serves to provide that emotional strength that listeners need when they begin to feel the grip of sadness and depression take hold in their lives. That is noted Speed sings, “The razor’s edge don’t lie when you slide it/Don’t close your eyes/You might miss the show you started/It’s your time to change those fears you’re hiding down below/Where things get so distorted now/Cause it’s hard to find things you want to say/Tired of being hurt like this/Reach down low/Screamin’ yeah/It’s never too late/Never too late/Never too late to shake it/Never too late/Never too late to make it right/When life gets tough/We can make it better/Turn the page…make it better/Cause it’s never too late.” The message seems pretty clear here. As the song’s chorus notes, it’s never too late to change things even when life is in its most difficult moments. This message is driven home even more in the song’s second verse in which Speed goes on to sing, “I’ve been here once before/No strength lying on the floor/One step from light to black/And there’s no turning back/God let this be the end/Cause I know it’s hard to find/The things you want to say/Gotta reach down low screaming yeah/Cause it’s never too late/Never too late/Never too late/To shake it/Never too late/Never too late to make it right/When life gets tough we can make it better/Turn the page.” Any doubt about the song’s lyrical message should be shaken by now. And if any doubt still lingers here then it is remained in the song’s final verse as Speed and his band mates reprise the song’s chorus through the song’s final minute or so. It is a very familiar lyrical theme and one that is always welcome among listeners of any age. That is because everybody reaches those difficult points in life regardless of age. The song’s musical arrangement makes the song’s message even more powerful. The two elements together make this song a welcome addition to OOTB and a song that would be a perfect on any mainstream rock radio station today. It is just one of the key compositions featured in this record, too. The record’s closer ‘You & Me’ is another one of its key compositions.
‘Never Too Late’ is one of the key compositions included in Silvertung’s new EP. That is due to the combination of both its musical arrangement and equally powerful lyrical content. The two come together to make the song one of the record’s best compositions and a clear example of what makes the record in whole stand out. It is just one of the disc’s most important additions, too. ‘You and Me,’ the record’s closer, is another of the record’s key compositions. It isn’t just one of those classic all too familiar, over the top tear-jerkers. Rather it is a well-balanced composition that displays so much heart both in its musical and lyrical content. Just as with ‘Never Too Late’ this is due both to the song’s musical arrangement and its lyrical content. The song’s musical arrangement is the polar opposite of that of ‘Never Too Late.’ Whereas the arrangement behind ‘Never Too Late’ was an emotionally powerful work that expertly complimented the song’s uplifting lyrical theme, this song’s musical arrangement is a classic ballad composition. What’s interesting is that it isn’t one of those classic hair band ballads of the 80s. Rather it is more akin to the ballad style songs crafted by the members of Alter Bridge. Listeners will appreciate, in listening to this arrangement the subtlety of its string arrangement both by itself and in contrast to [Codey] Red’s equally gentle, flowing guitar line. Both lines are expertly balanced throughout the course of the song. Speed’s gentle, yet gravelly vocal delivery strengthens the song even more as he sings seemingly to his child, “Here we go again/Finding out the hard way/Learning lessons/Never talked back in the day/As the night closes in/The fear sets in/I can’t show at all my face/Cause this little one is counting on me/To be the strength/Left alone in a world so unknown/Finding out there’s no escape/I can deal with it all/Though, the struggle’s getting old/Just as long as there’s you and me.” The power in his gentility is just as obvious as he sings to his child in the song’s second verse, “Look in your eyes/All I see is the innocence/Knowing one day it’ll all be taken away/Out of my control/There’s nothing I can do/Fear of it all is that I know you’ll be strong/Stand on your own two feet/I can deal with it all/Though, the struggle’s getting old/As long as there’s you and me/And someday you will find yourself/Staring into these arms/So familiar/You’ll see yourself/The fear of it all is that I know you’ll be strong/And stand on your own two feet/I can deal with it all/Though, the struggle’s getting old/As long as there’s you and me/As long as there’s you and me.” The control in Speed’s delivery as he sings these lines is powerful in its own right. Together with the song’s other musical elements and the lyrics themselves, the song in whole stands out just as much as ‘Never Too Late.’ It still is not the last composition proving what makes OOTB stand out. The record’s opener ‘Face The Music’ is one more of the record’s key compositions.
‘Never Too Late’ and ‘You and Me’ are both key examples of what makes OOTB stand out in this year’s field of new rock releases. One song is an emotionally powerful composition anti-suicide song of sorts that will uplift listeners with its musical arrangement and lyrical content. The other will move listeners just as much just in another way with its gentle, flowing musical arrangement and its equally touching lyrical theme about a parent’s love for his/her children. They are two completely different songs. Yet both have the same impact on listeners due to their overall content. As much as both songs stand out in the bigger picture of Silvertung’s new record they are not its only key compositions. The record’s opener ‘Face The Music’ stands out just as much as those songs. It is a song that will appeal to fans of Eve To Adam. Yet again this is due to the song’s combined musical and lyrical content. The song’s musical arrangement is a solid, driving composition that will have listeners’ blood pumping just as furiously as their fists. It is driven in large part by Red’s guitar line and Danno’s work behind the kit. Skoot provides just enough low end to the song to solidify its musical foundation. Speed’s vocal delivery is the finishing element to the song’s musical arrangement. All things considered the song’s musical arrangement provides a solid overall foundation to its structure. Of course it is just one part of the song’s overall structure. The song’s lyrical content proves to be just as important to its presentation as its musical arrangement. The song’s lyrical content will have listeners’ fists pumping just as much as its arena anthem-style musical arrangement. Speed sings here, “There comes a time for you to step up and rise/Take a look at my face/Take a look in my eyes/Cause I’m one step closer to no return/My bloodshot eyes’ll tell you that I am done/Was it something I said/Rattling your cage/Now I’m all in your head/there’s mistakes that you never will hide/Like the knife in my back/I’m the thorn in your side/From your cold, cool stale personality/To my one stop shop brutal honesty/Was it something I said/Rattling your cage/Now I’m all in your head.” The lyrical assault doesn’t’ end here. Speed goes on to go after his subject as he sings confidently, “You’ll never measure up/To be that man/Well step up if you think you can/Ready or not…It’s time to face the music.” The lyrical (and musical) energy doesn’t let up one bit from here. Rather it stays just as solid right up to the end of the song’s roughly two and a half-minute run time (technically 2:34). The energy exuded by the combination of the song’s musical and lyrical energy makes this song not just a solid opener for the record but also another of the record’s key compositions if not its absolute best making even clearer why OOTBB is in whole one of 2016’s top new EPs.
Silvertung’s new EP Out of the Box is one of 2016’s top new EPs hands down. That is because over the course of the its ten minute run time the record presents what is a relatively wide range of sounds. The record’s opener is an adrenaline-fueled, fist-pumping arena anthem that is sure to be a fan favorite. It is a work that Eve To Adam’s fans will enjoy. This applies both on record and in a live setting. ‘Never Too Late’ is another key example of what makes Out of the Box stand out. That is due to its powerful musical arrangement and equally powerful lyrical content. The two elements combine to make it a song that Shinedown’s fans will enjoy. The record’s closer ‘You and Me’ is a perfect finale for its presentation. It expertly juxtaposes the record’s opener and puts a powerful period to the record’s presentation. ‘Devil’s Advocate,’ ‘Taunted’ and ‘Ain’t That A B****’ are not to be ignored here either. Each of those songs is just as important in its own right to the record’s presentation as those songs more directly noted here. All things considered Out of the Box proves in the end to, again, be one of 2016’s top new EPs. It is even more proof of why Silvertung is one of the rock community’s best kept secrets. Though, with the right support this band may not be a secret that much longer. Out of the Box is available now in stores, online and at any of its upcoming live dates. More information on the record, the band’s live dates, its latest news, and more is available online now at:
Website: http://silvertung.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Silvertungband
Twitter: http://twitter.com/silvertung1
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