The Story Changes / Let Go – Analogies

Analogies is hands down one of the best executed split EPs I’ve ever heard.  Typically when bands share albums they simply chuck their songs together.  Once the first batch run their course the second artist picks up and concludes the album.  But with Analogies, this isn’t the case.  Rather, the album’s two groups, Ohio two-piece The Story Changes and Arizona natives Let Go, trade off from track to track, building off each other, and playing on each others strengths and weaknesses.  Furthermore, the entire package was produced under the watchful eye of a single producer, Let Go’s Jamie Woolford (Punchline,The Format), resulting in a coherent and complete package, rather than two bands that just happen to be sharing disc space.

The first part of the equation is The Story Changes, a straight up pop-rock act that absolutely thrives on energy and playfulness.  A likely description would be that of a more expressive and less electronicMotion City Soundtrack.  Their first track, “Move Forward” serves as the album’s introduction.  The track’s combination of catchy, guitar driven choruses and Mark McMillon’s energetic but never overbearing vocals is a pleasure to listen to, and helps set the album’s tone.  The remainder of The Story Changes’ tracks range from anthemic chorus driven little numbers like “New Ground” and “Constellation,” to the absorbing story in “Feel Alive” about a girl who after striking back against an abusive partner finds herself a fugitive on the run.

The Story Changes thrive on simplicity and big hooks, but I would imagine that an entire album based solely on this level would feel rather shallow.  Thankfully Let Go step up to the plate and provide an extra boost of musical depth to round out Analogies.

Let Go give off an odd Foo Fighters meet 80’s synth pop meets Husker Du vibe.  It’s catchy without being predictable, and familiar without having a been-there-done-that feel.  Their first track, “The Great Mistake,” tightly ties their influences together into an entertaining little number that continues evolving from start to finish.  Vocalist Jamie Woolford, singularly supported by a handful of repetitious chords, briefly opens his first line with a muffled filter drowning out his voice.  From here on in he suspensefully escalates his tone only to eventually plummet back down into a fairly varied and multi-layered alt-rock chorus.  And then, as if to reassure listeners that Let Go isn’t afraid to branch out their sound, the band launches into a chaotic synth driven chorus complete with the playful sound of ditsy female gang vocals.

Granted, every track isn’t nearly as entertaining as “The Great Mistake,” those like “Smoke and Mirrors” craws along lifelessly by comparison, but when the formula works, it really works.  “Two Feet On The Faultline” includes some great piano and classic rock driven moments, and their cover of Tom Petty’s “You Got Lucky” completely surrenders to the shameless energy of 80’s dance-rock that makes the cover feel as if you’re listening to the twenty-seven year old song for the first time.  Ultimately, Let Go brings the talent and breadth of influences that keep Analogies entertaining and unpredictable.

Again, Analogies is a fantastic album that plays more like a collaboration than a split.  The Story Changes keeps things lively from start to finish, and Let Go provides the creative talent.  As a testament to the album’s appeal and the vision of producer Jamie Woolford, I couldn’t imagine listening to these tracks apart, or in any other order.  Highly recommended.