PLAYGROUND BOSTON

Some of the best local rock bands Boston has to offer were joined at the Middle East by the Philadelphia synth-pop trio Conservative Man. The bill was a celebration of the release of CM’s brand new self-titled EP, subject of some serious buzz over the last few weeks from various media outlets.

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Since forming in the Summer of 2005, the Boston-based Britrock quintet The Luxury didn’t take long to make an impact on the local scene.  Now, following up their 2007 debut This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things with their newest, catchier and more mature release In The Wake Of What Won’t Change, they have once again dropped a bombshell on Boston.

The new album is seamlessly crafted from beginning to end, exploring every element a pop rock band would want to showcase – and then some! The album starts with a short intro track that flows into a whirl of crunchy/punchy guitar and bass, fluid synths, on-point drums… even horns and an opera singer. Furthermore, the complexity and diversity of the album is finalized and sincerely complimented by lead singer Jason Dunn’s soothing vocal harmonies.

The record touches on wide variety of musical ideas, from the brass-driven “Straightjacket” to the punchy guitar-led “Take It Back”.  Songs like these set this album apart from others in the genre by showcasing the bands experimental and progressive nature. It gives the listener a sense that ‘Yes, this is pop, this is rock, but it’s not just cotton candy and gumballs.’

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