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CD Reviews

Ocean of Boxes

Boxes' debut EP Out to Sea

By SAM PFEIFLE | August 16, 2012

Though just four songs, Boxes' debut EP Out to Sea is impactful. Impassioned and densely layered, it's an emo take on recent Modest Mouse or Minus the Bear, full of Charles Stanhope's elongated delivery (the word "it" can have three syllables) and interesting rhythmic takes from drummer Timothy Webber.

Everyone is just so active. Dominic Grosso often holds the melody together with his bass, as Stanhope and keyboardist Thomas Portlock (frequently using just a basic piano sound) are busy firing in punctuations or creating jaunty repeating riffs.

"Green," especially, also features an attractive vocal pairing when Monica Cooper comes in to provide a breathy foundation underneath Stanhope.

Somewhat reminiscent of the first Cambiata release in its announcement of an important new band, this is an intriguing voyage, indeed.

Topics: CD Reviews , Modest Mouse, Minus the Bear, Dominic Grosso, More

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