Encore-Out the window

Thundercage
2011



When I was a teenager I was just getting into listening to metal and hard rock. Some teenagers do more than just listen to it as they are actually inspired to pick up their instruments and have a go an channeling their influences. That happens a lot as I am sure almost every high or even middle school has kids that make a go out of forming a band playing in their garages or basements. However some even get past that point. Such is the case with Ohio's Encore who have shared a stage with Lou Gramm, The Last Vegas, Bullet Boys and others. Vocalist Chase Beaire is 11 years old while his brother/guitarist Riley is 15. Rounding out the line-up are bassist Paris Stewart and Scott Cain played drums on the album, but their touring drummer is Trevor Baker. Opener "Simon Says" has a late 70's KISS vibe and I knew right away these guys had certainly been putting in some practice because they are tight. "Playing with fire" has a strong bluesy groove pushing it along. "Born to rock" is on third and here's why I begin to see some cracks in the armor. Any track with the rock can be tough to pull off. So many bands do it and it's easy to just sound cheesy if you can't pull it off and this song is rather typical aside from decent guitar solos. It just seemed rather uninspired. Next up is the six minute plus title track and it's an ambitious undertaking that's hit than miss. It's the first slow song on here and they maintain the pace well. Some of the hooks are slightly off, but they bounce back nicely and keep it going. Plus once again Riley Beaire pulls off a quick, but inspired solo. They get right back on track with "Time wounds" which is the heaviest track so far and somehow reminds me of Aerosmith meeting Pentagram oh around 1976. It's short, but to the point. "Bon Voyage" has young Chase Beaire reaching beyond his talent level a bit for the first time on the album. The music is alright on this AC/DC inspired tune, but the direction on this one seems a little lost and they kind of meander through it way more than they should have. "Loud n' Proud" has Encore moving back to an 80's sound with a simple beat, but they keep control of this solid rocker and even through a Spinal Tap reference into the lyrics. "Round we go" is a ballad of sorts and it's really quite average. It begins alright, there just enough going on to keep it going for the five minute plus running time. Next is "Going blind" that has a 70's Aerosmith meets Guns n' Roses and revolves around a basic but thick riff. "Drift Away" is a very G n' R inspired ballad and easily one of the better songs on the album because they sound so comfortable with this style. Closer "Heavy Load" comes on and it's a steady, but laid back mid-tempo tune. It's a simple style, but as with "Drift Away" they sound very comfortable and confident on it. There is no doubt that this young band has some talent and for being 11 Chase Beaire is very impressive plus his brother Riley has a a solid handle on while kind of riffs are needed at the right moment. They also do a good job of channeling their musical influences and the production was good. I would like to see them maybe put more of their own ideas into the music and I think that they could stand to grow as song writers. I also believe that these two skills can come with practice and experience. So hopefully they stick at it and I will be very interested to see how they progress because they are already off to a fine start.


http://www.myspace.com/encorerocks