Dinosaur Bones – Birthright EP

Toronto’s Dinosaur Bones is an indie band on the cusp.  They’re at that early point in their career where they have a couple of small releases under their belt, and are just vying for some more time before testing the waters with a full length.  In the mean time, they have their latest EP, Birthright, a follow up and extension to their two track Royalty 7”.

The EP includes two new tracks, with a couple of refined mixes coming from their Royalty offering.  Both pairings are unique in their own right, adhering to distinct set of conventions.

The first two songs represent Dinosaur Bones’ most present direction.  These tracks characterize the quintet as somewhat of a Coldplay/Interpol hybrid, achieving a bold strength, and finesse of character.  “We Use Our Hands” opens, establishing a looming blackness that runs across the EP by focusing on a rich, bass heavy, thumping beat.  Vocalist Ben Fox matches the mood with his deep, dark, and borderline depressed crawl – think The Killers but with a calm, controlled demeanor in lieu of the spasticity.  “Birthright” follows, furthering the mood, but slowing down, and replacing many of the layers of guitar with a contagious emptiness – the product of a mellowed approach, and distant faded chords.

While the newest material is effective, I continuously find myself drawn to the EP’s final two tracks – both revamped tracks from the Royalty 7”.  “Royalty” in particular stands out with a direct authority, and contains a very punchy combination of gloom and oratory might.  Here Fox ups his game, with lines like “outside howling at the moon,” inviting easy comparisons to Matt Skiba’s (Alkaline Trio) long since past collaboration Heavens.  It’s a powerful piece in delivery, and sets a high bar in focus for future endeavors.  “Ice Hotels” rounds out the four tracks, easing the reigns, but maintaining the confidence of the later.  The song makes Dinosaur Bones out as likable indie darlings with a love for fragile vocals and chords that trail off and blur between lines.

Birthright is a solid start.  However, that the best songs come from an existing 7” is at least partially disappointing.  That being said, Dinosaur Bones stands well poised for their eventual full length, and assuming that they carry over their initial confidence, their next steps should ensure the prehistorically named five-piece avoids an early extinction.