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Album Review: Chasing Waves by Vista Kicks


written November 10, 2017
From 4th of July barbecues to supper clubs, four best friends from Roseville, California, living just blocks away from each other, start playing music around town. In 2015 the band Vista Kicks was born. When first listening to their music I was reminded of another small local band, Meeting House. With their debut EP Chasing Waves making Apple Music Featured New Artists page last year, I thought it only appropriate to review the EP. The EP features songs such as:
Mona Lisa
A bass and percussion heavy song, accompanied by the soft and smooth voice of Derek Thomas the band’s lead vocalist. The band’s sound is one that is not easily imitated, which seems counter intuitive due to the fact that they’re just a bass, a guitar, and some drums which every indie rock band has access too. Their sound is a killer combination of surf-rock with a twist of the unhinged spirit of indie rock artists.
Waiting on you
This song opens to a layered guitar pouring over the vocals of Derek Thomas. Soon Sam Plecker helps accompany. This song has a subtle funky, off the radio sound to it. When looking for it you can really hear the compression of their sound. Is this a good or bad thing? It’s not clear. Compression ensures you hear all the sounds that are being played but when those sounds are overly loud it can cause an effect that may be signature.
Marceline
Opening with the pounding of the drums by Nolan Le Vine then characterized by the melody playing of the electric guitar. The calming vocals has an almost tranquilizer effect on the rest of instruments. Once things start picking up in the versus the vibrato of Derek Thomas’ voice illustrates the breaking of this sedative. Going into chorus this breaking is explored, then suddenly calming again, just to build up once more. This song is the most grunge sounding off the EP.
Jack Revell
Kicking off with a rendition of the classic surf rock song Let’s Go Trippin’ by Dick Dale. Little of the vocals are solely Derek Thomas, whether that be people shouting in the background, or sections of the versus being a chorus of party animals. This song is the scene of youths running down to the sunny Californian beach to have a grand ol' time they won't remember.
Vista Kicks’ Chasing Waves EP is a mix between Surf Rock, Grunge, and good ol’ fashion Rock & Roll. Give it a listen.

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