Souls On Board: Blood Face

Editorial

Release date: 12 December 2006

Eyebrows are raised at the kind of band who would name-check themselves in one of their own songs (hip-hop artists aside), however Melbourne three-piece Souls On Board do enough on this, their second EP, to let such sonic narcissism pass.

Opening track Where the Dance Is is all about the dancey guitars layered upon a canvas of malfunctioning noise, Anthony Petrucci's occasional vocal never dominating the mix. Falling somewhere between new-wave skittishness and shoegazer rock, the track sets the scene for what follows on this mini-album.

Fingers starts life as a more subdued, minor key piece, until the guitars begin a layering process as they move toward a decidedly visceral chorus burst. At under two minutes, This City's Full of Spies delivers the requisite quota of punch, some squealy guitars adding a strangely pleasant sense of chaos, while Souls on Board (the track itself) feels slightly out of place in the middle. It's a track which takes time to grow after the subtle synth intro - perhaps it would have been better placed opening up the set?

Don't Let them Say it be So raises the kinetic energy, Petrucci's guttural vocal delivery producing the record highlight. Things conclude with the extended soundscape of In My Hand I Have this Apple (In My Heart I Have this Grapple) - a perfect, brooding conclusion to a quality collection of indie tracks.

Track listing
1. Where the Dance Is
2. Fingers
3. This City's Full of Spies
4. Souls On Board
5. Don't Let Them Say it be So
6. In My Hand I Have this Apple (In My Heart I Have this Grapple)

Juan-Pablo Chavez, December 2006