artist: Treading Lemmings | genre: alternative, rock, brit-pop | label: unsigned | album: Cliff Notes [itunes link=”http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-at-sea/id395957999?uo=4″ title=”Get it at iTunes!”]
Here’s what I know…Quinn (vox), Joe Szadkowski (drums), Marc Roulier (bass), Andrew “Andj” Stainer (guitar) and Ricky Hunt (guitar), collectively known as Treading Lemmings, are passionate about their music. They believe in it and, after listening to their most recent full-length studio offering entitled Cliff Notes…so do I. Nearly a year and half ago, the Lemmings set out to write, record and produce a solid pop/alt-rock album. They have succeeded. But…let’s back up just a tad shall we?
The Froglix Faithful were first introduced to the Lemmings shortly after our initial launch back in the summer of 2009. It was then, on one fateful Friday evening in July, I made the trek “into town” to check them out live. About halfway through the show, Quinn hands me two (2) things. A Treading Lemmings t-shirt (still got it…still where it) AND a 4-song EP. I stayed for another set before jumping back in the car for the long journey back to my humble abode (aka Froglix World Headquarters) in Wild Wonderful West Virginia. The first thing I did, after strapping on the seatbelt of course, was pop the disc into the player and commenced with the listening. I was impressed. My initial review touted their music as having a “sound that is creative, energetic and, best of all, pleasantly dissimilar to the mindless droves trying to become the next big emo-punk band” and I still believe that…even more so now having heard their latest album in it’s entirety.
Having followed this band for sometime, I’m impressed with how their sound has matured over the years and can very confidently say that Cliff Notes is their best work yet. Quinn’s solid vocal performance surrounds creative lyrics immersed in melodic guitars and strong bass lines anchored by a definitive alt-rock cadence. As for my favourite tracks, aside from those currently in rotation, the lively pace of “A Roar From Boring Alice” really jumps out to me right away as does the moodiness/melancholy of “Trial of the Century” and “How Green Was My Envy?” Regarding the latter, any song with a well placed eBow guitar sound is hard not too like!
Wanna rock Lemmings style? Get the Cliff Notes and study up!
– Drago