All Eyes West – Self-Titled

I should admit, I was quite concerned when I saw Foo Fighters as a recurring “recommended if you like” artist to Chicago’s All Eyes West.  Foo Fighters has become a running joke between my friends and me – particularly in pointing fingers to Dave Grohl’s tendency to repeat a word or phrase for the duration of many of his singles (we’ve had many a laugh at repeating the phrase “getting the best, the best, the best….” ad nauseam during these conversations).  Thankfully, All Eyes West’s similarities are sonic rather than stylistic, making their self-titled full length far more dynamic than I was anticipating.

All Eyes West open the album with the lyrically inquisitive “Fact Or Fiction?”  Guitars gun steady to a familiar mellow and steady rock rhythm dominating the majority of the eight-song mini-album.  Justin Miller’s tonal similarities to Grohl jump out instantly.  His grungy overtones run rampant during the catchy choruses of “Help Is On The Way” and “One Less Arrow,” propelled forward by the energetic beat of Jeff Dean’s pronounced 90’s style guitar.  By and large the guitars and vocals come together with a hint of discord that pushes certain songs like “The Accident” or “Preach To Rejects” into post-rock territory with favourable results.

A few weaker songs still speckle the track list through.  In particular, the chorus and lead guitar in “Everything I Never Said” lacks an essential edge that makes it feel like a Foo Fighters b-side more than an exciting specimen of its own.  “Stations” also takes the title of album crawler, and with the exception of a percussively sound outro lacks the impact of its neighbours.

Fans of 90’s rock who still value this sound should find a treat in All Eyes West.  Even those like myself who have become jaded and skeptical of 90’s rock can approach this with an appreciation for the craftsmanship that separates them from more formulaic radio rockers like Chevelle or Sloan.  Overall a solid record by a band worth keeping an eye on.