Van EPS
"Sophomore"
Label: None Released: 11/o8/2017
By: Cassandra Dhaenens September 10th 2017
Van EPS has been a known name in Spokane for awhile now. Though hailing from Seattle they have made quite a name for themselves. Van EPS has been apart of the music scene since 2006 and has opened for great touring acts like Ataris. Their influences depict a hint of everything from the 70's on up.
Through the years they have shown us an array of different melodic arrangements of rock. So of course I was excited when I was sent their new album to listen to. My first impression of the album was calm, yes they have very hard hitting music throughout the album. It still put me at ease, the kind of ease that gives you goosebumps. Their songs calmed my soul. By the end of the last song I had already added it to my apple music playlist so I can listen to it over and over.
The theme of the album has a super natural feel at first, not just because of titles of the songs but the lyrics. "Blood" made me think of vampires but specifically it made me think of the show "True Blood" if the show was still going I would totally suggest to Van EPS to send in the song cause it's that good. As I listened to the album for the third time (don't worry I listened to it more like 8 time already) I noticed it had an ex-girlfriend/ girl that hurt me vibe to it. Which is completely fine hurt makes the best songs since music began. Many of the songs lyrics talked about the depression and anger that comes with being hurt by a women it was very well developed that it made me angry about whoever this person was.
"Burn" I think is my favorite so far. It gives off the old punk rock with a David Grohl twist. It is one of the slower songs lyrically on the album. All in all this album had quiet the diversity by giving us a bit of every generations sound. I highly recommend going on to Apple music and getting their album. They have made something amazing and you need to experience it.
Van EPS will be playing at the Big Dipper in Spokane WA on September 21st for their album release show. So if you enjoyed their new album, that was released on August 11th as much as I did then I think you need catch this show out in two weeks to see these guys perform live alongside Elephant Gun Riot (Spokane), Trash Dogs (Seattle) and Foxtrot Epidemic (Spokane). Four great bands that you won't want to miss. While you are there grab Van EPS's new cd or grab some merch to help support all of these bands. Hope to all see you there.
-CD