SHREDnews

By Poppy Cleere

The Days and Days EP is just a tantalizing teaser of whats yet to come from Minnesota rock band Camera Can’t Lie. Discovered and managed by Grammy Award-winning producer Stephen Short, the three-piece, who signed to Atlantic records in 2008, have already settled well into the music scene and their new five-track preview of the upcoming full-length will only further confirm that their place is well deserved. Within just four years the guys – Eric Arjes (Vocals/Guitar), Kyle Lindsay (Bass), and  Josh Bendell (Drums) – have reached musical heights that most musicians can only dream of, including tours with the likes of Anberlin, The Rocket Summer, and The Almost. CCL already have two hugely popular releases under their belts, debut album Love The Noise (remixed by Matt Goldman in 2006) and self-titled EP Camera Can’t Lie, and their latest offering  Days and Days is sure to be just as popular, setting music fans heart’s a-flutter with it’s easy listening vibe.

Arjes croons softly over his guitar before launching into a fierce chorus in the heroic opening track, Casualty. Perfect for those days where you need a little lift, the song rescues you from your woes and rescues you in style – I guarantee you’ll find yourself walking with a smile, almost as if the band are right there walking with you. Perhaps one thats more for the girls than the guys, this catchy track asks to be your very own knight in shining amour.

I can’t help but imagine that Bendell’s fast-paced bass drum beat is echoing the heart of the almost-broken speaker in The One That Got Away. You find yourself feeling Arjes pain and heartbreak both in the music and lyrics as he defiantly promises that he won’t let his lover go. Heavy stuff thats easy to listen to thanks to the pop-rock foundations of this love anthem. Next up, It’s less pop and more indie with the opening to Hold Me Down, a guy-power track which shows that CCL can successfully pull off different sounds. Not my personal favorite from the EP but catchy none-the-less.

Although it sounds like it could easily be featured on the soundtrack to MTV’s The Hills, fourth track Risk is a beautiful and full song that dares to ask the question “Are you all you hope to be?”. With influential and inspiring lyrics, you’ll be left feeling positive and motivated. The harmonies that accompany the chorus particularly make this track stand out, so their reappearance in closing track Days and Days is very welcome. Arjes almost serenades you to sleep in this sweet acoustic love song, another slow paced track which seems to be the most popular format of this EP. The track provides a bittersweet goodbye for now as it once again teases us with the promise of next years full-length.

Days and Days is a strong set of soft-rock songs that will warm you up this winter. Sure to be popular with fans of easy listening music the EP provides steady paced songs that blend well and with no drastic changes in sight, it’s perfect for a nighttime listen. For the younger listeners, with his silky vocals and the theme sticking mainly to chivalry and love, I expect many a girl will fall for Arjes’ charm, while the guys will no doubt do their best to copy it. While the songs are certainly well written don’t expect to be completely blown away by any of the tracks on the EP, after all it’s just a preview of whats to come – the best tracks will be saved for next year. However with that said, I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings for Camera Can’t Lie, I’m sure it’ll be big.

For Fans Of: The Almost, Augustana, Dashboard Confessional
Overall Rating Out Of 10: 7/10
Top Tracks: Risk, Casualty, The One That Got Away

To find out more about Camera Can’t Lie please visit www.myspace.com/cameracantlie

Days and Days is available on iTunes now