Eastern Conference Champions – Ameritown

I really had no idea what I should expect from Eastern Conference Champions‘ debut release, Ameritown. No idea at all. However, I was interested in hearing it simply to see if they could successfully pull off the small town vibe I got from the album’s title and while I was happy to hear that small town vibe to their music, my opinions were still rather confused concerning the band as with each listen to Ameritown I found new things that I liked along with new parts that I disliked.

The most prominent element of the record that provides that bi-polar reaction is Josh Ostrander’s vocal delivery. The opening moments of The Box come in with a soothing organ melody, a marching drum beat soon enters making for an energetic introduction; then, Ostrander’s vocals come in and you’re torn apart. The nasally, high pitched, almost whiny vocals become annoying instantly and you wonder whether or not your ears will be able to stand the abnormal and annoying vocal delivery for a full twelve tracks. Luckily, the vocals soon improve – even on that track as the chorus breaks in and Ostrander, along with help from his band mates, creates a perfect sing along melody that captivates the listener intensely. The vocals are like that throughout the album, some slight moments that become grating quickly but then there’s a sort of switch, a transformation in the music and the vocals that just click and Ostrander’s vocals sound just perfect. Passionate, soul foul, soft and perfectly complimentary to the indie rock backdrop. Some Sorta Light has his vocals grow in momentum building up anticipation and excitement, Yuppy Hipster Fuck is built upon the more nasally and whining delivery but soon breaks out in an almost Hold Steady like fashion and explodes with intensity.

Lightly tattered drums and soothing piano melodies make up the bulk of the album as Eastern Conference Champions lean heavily on the use of the piano over guitars for many of their songs but in more of a Dresden Dolls fashion- particularly on Gucci No. 3 – instead of Coldplay or the like. It makes it so that when the guitars do come in, they really stand out; like the depressing acoustic ballad Pitch A Fit. The best comparisons would be Attack In Black is they were more indie rock and with slightly weaker vocals or a heavier and more energetic version of Death Cab For Cutie.

The lyrics are what gives Ameritown that small town vibe, which makes it all the more annoying that they aren’t printed in the booklet. Lyrics telling stories about fighting with cops, going to jail, dealing with broken marriages, miscarriages, and death and just running away and going on an adventure – packing bags and heading south – all help give the album a down to earth, friendly and honest feel that is pretty refreshing.

While the album has a few ups and downs, Ameritown really grows on you. It seeps in slowly and cautiously builds within you until you become enticed by the soothing, soaring melodies and engulfed by the simplicity of it all. The vocals take a while to get used to, but once you get passed that bump, you’re in for a treat. Also, make sure to listen to the bonus track after Hollywood as that song is by far one of the highlights of the entire album with passionate vocals full of depression and self hatred.