MARCH 2010 ONLINE EDITORIALS

In the Whale - Crush EP

album cover

By Molly McCowan

Jonah disobeyedand ended up inside a whale for three days and three nights…or so the story goes. Imagine instead that, upon sliding down the whale’s massive tongue and sloshing into its (presumably) fishy stomach, Nate Valdez and Eric Riley were there, providing the indie punk soundtrack to a time of trials and tribulations.
Crush highlights all of In the Whale’s strengths: great dynamics, songs that demand attention, strong writing and the ability to cover a wide range of sounds both within each song and as an entire album. They exemplify a punk rock mentality, but with an undercurrent of vulnerability that gives the album resonance.
The understated song “Summertime” displays this dual nature well, utilizing a simple melody and well-written lyrics chronicling memories of lost love, but never crossing the line into cliché. “Drinking on the Job” ranges from solitary, subtle guitar lines to a full-blown, drink-in-hand finale complete with a number of (possibly inebriated) voices joining in.
“Send Off” and “Wolves” possess the strongest overarching vibes of the punk rock mentality, with hefty guitar lines and energetic transitions. “Wolves” is my favorite track on the album, demonstrating an aggressive slide guitar and rollercoaster dynamics that give the song an infectious energy.
Crush is an EP that truly exemplifies the fact that this Fort Collins duo is actively creating, changing, and pushing themselves to craft a sound wholly their own, and they are succeeding.
myspace.com/songsinthewhale