Adelaide

Shipwrecks

Adelaide (not to be confused with the now-defunct English band of the same name) brings some heaviness with their second EP, Shipwrecks, but the lack of well-written lead parts can make parts of it tough to listen to.

It’s unfortunate, too, because there are parts on the EP that really set the Georgia-based act apart. They have no problem nailing basic songwriting skills and chugs; their low end is solid, driving and keeps a pace and a vein throughout the album. But some of their lead choices rain on their respective tracks. “Fingers Crossed” is great until they hit their first groove and the lead starts in like a faint car alarm that doesn’t let up. Ultimately, it’s the only thing you notice, even though there’s a beautiful surrounding landscape. Even worse, they revisit the part later in the song.

It’s bizarre, because they obviously know how to use leads correctly; it’s not like the band wrote an album full of junior high riffs. In fact, some of them are truly enjoyable. The production sounds great, too, but every once in a while, they make some bad decisions.

It’s the band’s second EP and it’s better than their first, so there’s still some time to grow before they release a full-length; I’m looking forward. It’d be a shame to waste the rest of their talent.