Explore Both DARKNESS AND LIGHT with Crooked Flower’s Latest EP

When an EP opens with a 12 minute track that blends a jam band sensibility with the throwback alternative style of The Cure, you know you’re in for something a bit different than the run of the mill pop rock band. Crooked Flower’s recently released Darkness and Light is a refreshing mix of psych rock, classic alternative, folky acoustic rock, and pop that manages to do many things well despite only having 4 tracks to showcase the band’s talents.

The opening track, the aforementioned 12 minute jam session, is an instrumental track that showcases their diverse influences and immense talents called “Bells of Brixton”. Despite my aversion to much of the music associated with jam bands and the fact that vocalist Angelina Dang has a very beautiful voice, I actually think this track is the one that I enjoy the most. It certainly sets a tone of beauty, exploration, and fun for the whole EP.

However, to claim one track as my favorite is certainly not to diminish the quality of the other tracks. The other three tracks are all very powerful, upbeat, and well crafted tunes. The guitar work in “Moving On” is particularly interesting and something about the song “Boyfriend” transports me back to the heyday of No Doubt.

From beginning to end, the four song EP is strong. It’s well written, even more well performed, and extremely catchy. It is also worth noting that it is extremely pleasant on the ears, a very enjoyable experience throughout. From the incredible instrumentation to the simple quiet moments to the soaring beautiful vocals, Darkness and Light tends more to the light and is much better for it. A feel good EP that’s sure to please those who give it a chance.

Check out a previously recorded 6 minute version of “Bells of Brixton” below, then rock out to the new and improved 12 minute version on the album.

thepaintedman

Founder / Professional Nerd

Justin has been running websites since his first Geocities site in 1994, but only did he ever start covering anything of substance years later. After he stopped regularly running local concerts in Northern NJ and the greater Philly area, he knew he needed to step up his writing game if he expected to continue to get free music to listen to. He writes regularly here and at Cinapse, as well as contributing to a few other sites on occasion. He likes music, film, the Philadelphia Eagles, the 76ers, talking about Criminal Justice, reading Intelligence Report, and his family... not in that order. His beautiful wife is far more talented than he is and his kids far more adorable... and crazy.

Tags: Acoustic, Alt Rock, Alternative, Bells of Brixton, Boyfriend, Crooked Flower, Darkness and Light, Instrumental, Jam, Jam Session, Moving On, No Doubt, Pop, Pop Rock, Psychedelic, Rock, The Cure