Mika Elizabeth - Reality Check
Rock, Post-Grunge
Virginia, U.S.
Overall Impression: Virginia Beach-based rockers Suburban Key Party explore themes of fate and fortune, on their release of "The Wreckage." This tune features a guitar-based, straight ahead alt-rock sound, with chugging rhythms, powerful drums, and roaring guitars. Vocalist and bandleader Tom Southern gives an exceptional performance here, slipping between a spritely falsetto and a spirited rock snarl to deliver introspective and angsty lyrics that should easily connect with audiences. A half-time bridge offers up a captivating rhythmic and harmonic shift, and leads into a blazing solo from guitarist Dave Hunter. Polished production, clever songwriting, and veteran musicianship make this track an easy recommendation for any modern rock fan, particularly those with a taste for melodic post-grunge. Look for "The Wreckage" by Suburban Key Party, available now as a single on all major streaming platforms.
Strongest Point(s): Outstanding production, superb mix. Excellent tonal balance and clarity. Fantastic energy straight from the top, great intro. Terrific steady rock groove, rhythm section is locked in tight with one another. Wonderful variety of guitar tones that blend well together, creating a nice layered sound. Very modern pop/rock melodic sensibilities that should resonate with listeners. Love the bridge, it breaks up the arrangement nicely and does well to complement the song, as well as setting up a brilliant guitar solo. Tremendous vocal performance and production. Very unique and engaging rock vocal style, and a great job of filtering and stacking harmonies. The group vocals in the choruses sound amazing. Lyrical content is smart and self-aware, with an interesting topic and a relatable message of "we all make our own luck, and live with the consequences". Overall, this is a stellar track that should have broad appeal among rock fans of all ages. Incredible work, by all involved!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Post-Grunge
Artist target suggestions: The Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, Kings of Leon, The 1975, Foo Fighters, Muse, Arcade Fire, Placebo, Stereophonics, Deftones, Our Lady Peace, Hum, Silversun Pickups, Stone Temple Pilots, Spacehog
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About the Reviewer:
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers.