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If this introductory EP is meant as an appetizer, it works. The only disappointment here is that "Like Lightning" is too short. You feel like you're just getting to know the band when you find that you've run out of songs to listen to. This might not be a bad thing. If a live performance should always leave a crowd wanting more why not a recording? It's official: I want more!
This Seattle area group is captained by Alexander Malloy, the primary singer and songwriter. But he's canny enough to know that a leader is only as good as the team behind. The team effort here is well rounded: talented singers mix in with excellent guitar work, an effective rhythm section and lovely violin. Many bands have overplayed increased instrumentation so that something gets washed out or accessibility is exchanged for displays of technical prowess. Not so on this band's first release.
Golden Robot Army have learned the secret of good pop music: solid, hook-laden, song writing comes before splashy production and the pride of intricate soloing. And Golden Robot Army are good pop music. The music is accessible, you can listen to the harmonies here all day. These songs practically sparkle and crackle and there's an indefatigable positivity on this recording. Even when the band is singing about murder/revenge ("Drink Up, Sweetheart") or local street eccentrics (Pedro The Fry Apartments Guy on "DLAMWIYAY") the songs remain upbeat, even hopeful. This makes you want to walk around singing them even more. But that's the point of pop, to hook you.
The only odd-man-out here is the last track, "Breakdown Lane". Not only is it written by another member of the band, Jason Welling, it sounds like it's performed by a different band. Both the instrumentation and attitude are different. There's a heaviness and darkness that's more akin to indie rock than the Decemberists like complex pop of this CDs other songs. It's not that "Breakdown Lane" is a bad song it just seems out of place with the other four songs found here. It feels like it predates the band, or at least this incarnation of it.
Music critic the Rev. Nørb has a maxim for 45 records: if either of the songs makes you want to jump up and play that song multiple times in a row then the record is success. If we expand Nørb's Law to EPs then "Like Lightning" is clearly a winner. Not only did I hear songs that I want to listen to over and over again but I put this CD on repeat for several hours. "Like Lightning" makes me hungry for more, bring it on.
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The Golden Robot Army:
http://www.goldenrobotarmy.com/main.html
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