Album Review // Justin Amen and the Hybrids
Justin Amen and the Hybrids are an alternative indie-folk four piece from Burbank, California and today we'll be reviewing their self titled debut LP that released earlier this year (2017).
Justin Amen and the Hybrids introduces itself with 'Intro', a short and very pleasant tune that actually serves as a prelude for what's to come. The track begins with an eerie hum, a rainy atmosphere, you immediately imagine a dark rainy night in the woods. The intro then bursts into a nice acoustic jam, the band introduces us to some brass which is a very pleasant surprise. 'Russian Roulette' gives us our first real taste of the band, the tune's use of acoustic guitar backed by an easy going electric guitar riff reminds us a bit of early Coldplay, think 'Parachutes'. 'The Grass Isn't Always Greener' is one of our favourate tunes, it really shows the bands versatility and the use of female vocals was another pleasant surprise. Justin Amen and the Hybrids aren't your average rock band, just two full songs in and you can already tell this band has a bright future ahead, this much creativity and courage to step out of the norm can only be met with success. Moving on we land on the fourth track on the record, 'Tearing at the Seams' is a highlight vocally and lyrically, the whole song reminds us of acts like Modest Mouse, we can definitely see this band opening for a major indie act in the future. 'Soul Stealer' is our favourate track, by far, it intro's with a super crunchy, southern, vibe. We love the grittiness coming from this song, the use of that minor chord also hits oh so perfectly. Did their bio say Burbank? This band feels like it crawled out of the dead woods of Pennsylvania, we love it! The sixth song 'Enjoy the Ride' is a fitting up tempo rockabilly jam that follows the genres template to the bone, it sits on the latter half of the record giving it a much needed push. 'Through the Glass' is a very relaxing feel good tune. Getting some nice Beatles vibes off this one. Justin Amen and the Hybrids closes it's LP with 'Underneath the Surface', the band mixes everything you've heard before, the ska rhythm, the acoustics, the rockabilly ending, and a pretty dope solo. The band also ends their LP with this excellent, fitting for the times, line "Can't you see we just need to be free, remove ourselves from society, we don't need no tyrants, we don't need kings to determine our destiny".
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We thoroughly enjoyed this release, listen to the full album on Spotify here:
