A bands freshman effort is something to behold.  While it may signify differing things to the band mates individually, it’s the bands collective way of greeting the world through their chosen craft.  It is a diabolical time of celebration, panic attacks, and the ultimate fear of rejection (or, in some cases, no fear at all).  The boys from Twice Til Tuesday however, have a genuine reason to be proud.  “East Bay No Core” is a solid EP.  It’s not solid simply because they’re first timers (there’s no learning curve here).  The record stands on it’s own strengths; which are delivered through noticeable care, love and admiration for not only on another, but for rock-n-roll.

While there are things that can be approved upon in the album’s production, the music is honest, edgy, seemingly personal, and just plain fun.  “Ticket” kicks off No Core with old school raging guitars rifts and a stripped down, vintage-style punk chorus.  This was an astute choice for the first cut (sequencing is vital, and we’ll be discussing that soon on BuzzOfTheBay) as it sets the energetic tone.  “Cross My Mind” strikes equally hard, but with a more emotive touch.  Here we get a taste of their seeming lament for love and loss, and it’s not cheesy people.  It’s sonically softer, without being musically soft; meaning there’s soul there.

The lead singer does his best Billy Joe (unintentional I’m sure)  on “Descent”, or perhaps it’s the song’s structural similarity to early Green Day that brings on the comparison.  Perhaps they were an early influence for the gang in Twice.  Either way the tune sounds pro.  They speed things up, show variety, and bring their pop chops to the upbeat “The Way You Live” while deciding to close their musical journey on a darker note.  “Nate’s Song”; the final cut, showcases the many shades of Twice Til Tuesday.  This album goes from light to dark, fun to solemn, and manages to maintain it’s individuality throughout the process.

Overall “East Bay No Core” is an entertaining listen, and worth a look.  With music becoming nothing more than an avenue to market a ringtone, Twice Til Tuesday’s sound is a little oasis in the midst of the soulless and musically irrelevant.

Sonic Commentary/Follow-up:

This is new to the BuzzOfTheBay blog, however; admittedly, during my editing and adding of the images to this article I somehow managed to erase an entire paragraph.  These few sentences were production notes, covering one aspect of the recording that could use some work: The lead vocals.  I found them a bit dry throughout the record.  This is not detrimental however, to the overall musicality of the EP, merely a sonic commentary.

I would have liked to hear the vocals more enmeshed with the rest of the instruments/music.  That is not to say I would prefer the vocals to be lost in the music, rather a compliment to the structure.  Perhaps a slight reverb could suffice, thereby approximating naturally occurring reverberations in a particular time and space.  This could help to round out the sound of voice.  Also; perhaps utilizing a different microphone could have captured the timbre and tone of the vocal more accurately.  Experimentation is always key hear, as different mics cater to differing tonalities.  Recording is always about trying new things, and finding what works.  In this case there is no great mistake.  Twice Til Tuesday pulled it off.